UTAH BUSINESS FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES STARTER KIT
Dear city and county officials, Thank you for the generous service you render to the residents of your community. We have deep admiration for the challenges you face and the work you do in order to improve the quality of life in your municipality. Indeed, it is in the spirit of making life better for residents and business owners in our communities that we write to you. Our state continues to be ranked by Forbes, and many others, as the Best State for Business and Careers, and one of the nation’s best economies. We know that for many of you, economic development is a key focus and we seek to translate that momentum directly into your local community. As part of that effort, Governor Herbert asked in 2013 that cities follow the state’s lead to review existing business regulations. In fact, more than 30 cities undertook this effort and earned recognition as a “Utah Governor’s Business Friendly Community.” However, staying at the top is harder than getting there. As other states try to copy what has made Utah great, we must continue our efforts to promote the best business climate in the nation. In that spirit, as Governor and leadership of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, the Utah Association of Counties and the Salt Lake Chamber, we are excited to partner together to promote streamlined regulations at the local level and provide you with a new framework to achieve the Utah Governor’s Business Friendly Community. Included in this guide: • A revised recommended process, which every community can benefit from undertaking • Best practices used in communities to modernize and optimize ordinances • Key questions to ask during the organization and origination of regulation Once again, thank you for your efforts to advance economic growth in our great state. We look forward to designating all Utah city, towns or counties that complete this review as a “Utah Governor’s Business Friendly Community.” The award will be given annually at the Utah League of Cities and Towns or the Utah Association of Counties Annual Fall Conferences. Best wishes for your success!
Gary R. Herbert
Lane Beattie
Roger O. Tew
Governor State of Utah
President and CEO Salt Lake Chamber
Interim Executive Director Utah League of Cities and Towns
Adam Trupp Chied Executive Officer Utah Association of Counties
ACHIEVING THE UTAH GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS FRIENDLY COMMUNITY AWARD Improving the business climate in Utah, by streamlining and modernizing business regulations in order to determine which ones should be kept, or modified, or eliminated at the local level is key to our future economic success and competitiveness. It is in that spirit that Governor Herbert, Utah League of Cities and Towns, the Utah Association of Counties and Salt Lake Chamber are excited to partner together to promote streamlined regulations at the local level and provide you with a new framework to achieve the Utah Governor’s Business Friendly Community. All Utah cities, towns or counties that complete this review before this September will be recognized at the Utah League of Cities and Towns Annual Fall Conferences. This process provides a framework that municipalities and counties can follow, but particpants have the flexibility to adapt the process and implement the best practices to meet the needs of their community. The Governor will honor cities who seek ways to improve their business climate. The Process n Reach Out Reach out to and survey local business leaders to identify business regulations and processes that can be improved. We encourage you to include your local chamber in your outreach. n Review Work as a community team to review all of your regulations to understand why the regulations exist and determine if they unduly impact businesses. n Revise or Repeal Collaborate with your city council to revise or repeal any unnecessary ordinances, regulations, and procedures. n Report Send results of the business regulation review to: localregulation@slchamber.com Key contacts: Mike Mower
Deputy Chief of Staff Governor’s Office (801) 538-1076 mikemower@utah.gov
Michael Parker
Vice President of Public Policy Salt Lake Chamber 801-328-5068 mmparker@slchamber.com
Cameron Diehl
Director of Government Relations Utah League of Cities and Towns 801-328-1601 cdiehl@ulct.org
Lincoln Shurtz
Government Affairs Director Utah Association of Counties 801-328-5068 lincoln@uac.net
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BEST PRACTICES AND IDEAS FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS Access to community information: n Does your city/town/county have sufficient business information available on the website? n Does your city/town/county explain how to obtain licenses on the website? n Does your city/town/county have ordinances that are easily accessible, searchable, and online? n Does your city/town/county participate in the State of Utah’s OneStop business registration? n Can businesses obtain necessary information from the city/town/county easily and quickly? Areas to consider: n Update your code and ordinances to reflect recent legislation n Review your business development fees n Streamline your business application process n Review your zoning and code amendment process n Review and streamline your development review process n Review and streamline your building permit and site approval process n Review your sign code and sign permit process n Review your impact fees n Review and streamline your vendor license process n Review and streamline your special event application process n Review and streamline your building inspection process n Review and streamline your wastewater inspection process n Update your General Plan or Transportation Plan n Utilize the Land Use Academy of Utah training videos Communication: n Join and participate in the local chamber n Create a process to improve communication between city/town/county, business leaders, & the general public n Articulate to business leaders and the general public how business fees are invested in the city/town/county n Articulate to business leaders and the general public why certain regulations exist
LAND USE REGULATION Land Use Academy of Utah Energizing business growth business-friendly regulation often directly relates to land use regulation. However, every community is different. That’s why the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the Utah Accociation of Counties spearheaded the development of The Land Use Academy of Utah. Funded by the Utah State Legislature and created by a consortium of public and private sectors, the Land Use Academy of Utah (LUAU) provides uniform professional education to support training and education in land use. LUAU is the first statewide uniform and comprehensive online land use website resource to train, inform, and educate elected and appointed officials and the general public in statutory land issues and best planning practices. To learn more, head to: http://luau.utah.gov/ State of Utah’s Rural Planning Group The State of Utah’s Rural Planning Group (RPG) supports rural community development by coordinating public agency resources and providing training, mentoring, studies, tools, and technical assistance. A project of Department of Workforce Services’ Housing and Community Development Division, RPG assists communities with the planning and management necessary to successfully support and maintain local economic growth. To learn more, head to: http://www.ruralplanning.org/
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Pl a n n in g G ro up
KEY QUESTIONS AT THE ORIGINATION OF REGULATION Cities and Counties should understand the purpose of regulation. To do this, cities should ask themselves: n How and why is a restriction on a transaction or a business imposed? n How can regulations be as simple, fair and enforceable as possible? n Is the cost of regulation greater than the benefit it creates for the community? n How are existing regulations assessed or evaluated for continued relevance? n Is existing regulation lacking or excessive in some manner? n Do regulations increase quality of life and provide public value?
OTHER BEST PRACTICES AND RESOURCES In addition to implementing the regulation review and receiving the Utah Governor’s Business Friendly Community Award, below are some other best practices and resources to promote economic growth and streamline regulation. Facilitate Small Business: n Appoint a Regulatory or Small Business Ombudsman n Establish a customer service mentality in all public facing agencies n Conduct a complete mapping of the licensing process for small businesses n Publish permitting and licensing processes online n Provide a “one-stop shop” for licenses and permits Build relationships with key partners: n Develop a strong partnership with your local Chamber of Commerce n Build relationships with State Economic Development stakeholders For more best practices, the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School is building an inventory of regulatory best practices that will “support local governments in streamlining regulatory processes, while at the same time supporting local and regional economic development.”
Sources: Data-Smart City Solutions at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School, Enterprise | SLC, David Eccles School of Business.
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTACT LIST Michael Parker Salt Lake Chamber mmparker@slchamber.com Lynda Stanley
Bear River Chamber of Commerce
bearriverchamber@gmail.com
Ursula Carstensen
Beaver Valley Chamber
chamber@beaverutchamber.com
Monica Holdaway
Brigham City Chamber of Commerce
monica@brighamchamber.com
Sandra Emile
Cache Chamber
semile@cachechamber.com
Ann Evans
Carbon County Chamber
cccc@carboncountychamber.net
Chris McCormick
Cedar City Chamber
cmccormick@cedarcitychamber.org
Barbara Riddle
Chamber West
barbara@chamberwest.org
Angie Osguthorpe
Davis Area Chamber of Commerce
angie@davischamberofcommerce.com
Nick Kilpack
Delta Area Chamber
daccinfo@deltautahchamber.com
Bill Wrappleye
Draper Chamber of Commerce
wrappleye@integraonline.com
Irene Hansen
Duchesne Chamber
irene@uintabasin.org
Lauri Matthews
Fillmore Area Chamber
laurimatthews@yahoo.com
Mark Wilson Flaming Gorge Chamber flaminggorgechamber@gmail.com Ryan Starks
Heber Chamber
ryanstarks@gohebervalley.com
Kathryn Christiansen
Holladay Chamber of Commerce
kathryn@holladaychamberofcommerce.org
Lon Allen
Hurricane Valley Chamber
office@hvchamber.com
Erin Robinson
Kanab Area Chamber
info@kanabchamber.com
Mark Welcker
Lehi Area Chamber of Commerce
mark@lehiareachamber.com
Trish Hull
Magna Chamber of Commerce
info@magnachamber.org
Jodie Hugentobler
Moab Chamber of Commerce
jodie@moabchamber.com
Gavin McCleary
Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce
laurelborr@gmail.com
Stephanie Wright
Murray Area Chamber of Commerce
stephanie@murraychamber.net
Chuck Leonhardt
Odgen Weber Chamber of Commerce
chuck@ogdenweberchamber.com
Bruce Fullmer
Panguitch Chamber
kbfullmer@color-country.net
Bill Malone
Park City Chamber/Bureau
bill@visitparkcity.com
Jet Smith
Parowan Chamber
parowancityvc@infowest.com
Rory Adams
Payson Area Chamber of Commerce
paysonsantaquinarea@gmail.com
James Dixson
Pleasant Grove Chamber of Commerce
info@plgrovechamber.org
Lorraine Gregerson
Richfield Area Chamber of Commerce
lorraine@richfieldareachamber.com
Carol Lowman
Salina Chamber of Commerce
pablo@cut.net
Bayley Hedglin
San Juan County Chamber
bayley@sanjuancountychamber.com
Greg Summerhays
Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce
greg@sandychamber.com
Shelley Potts
South Jordan Chamber of Commerce
mychamber@southjordanchamber.com
Gary Birdsall
South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
gary@sslchamber.com
Susan Schilling Southwest Valley Chamber susan@swvchamber.org Heather Youd
Spanish Fork Chamber of Commerce
heathery@spanishforkchamber.com
Shirlene Jordan
Springville Chamber of Commerce
info@springvilleutahchamber.org
Pam Palermo
St. George Area Chamber of Commerce
pam@stgeorgechamber.com
Jared Hamner
Tooele Chamber of Commerce
jared@tooelechamber.com
Rona Rahlf
Utah Valley Chamber
rona@thechamber.org
Joel Brown
Vernal Chamber of Commerce
joel@vernalchamber.org
Dan Drown
Washington Area Chamber of Commerce
info@washingtoncitychamber.com
JoAnn Davis
Wayne County Business Association
joanndavis1@gmail.com
Aisza Wilde West Jordan Chamber aisza@westjordanchamber.com SLCHAMBER.COM/BUSINESSFRIENDLYCOMMUNITIES
STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS Governor’s Office of Economic Development The Governor’s Office of Economic Development charter is based on Governor Herbert’s commitment to economic development statewide. The mandate for this office is to provide rich business resources for the creation, growth and recruitment of companies to Utah and to increase tourism and film production in the state. More info at www.business.utah.gov Salt Lake Chamber The Salt Lake Chamber is the state’s largest business association and Utah’s business leader. A statewide chamber of commerce with members in all 29 Utah counties, the Chamber represents more than 8,000 businesses and accounting for over a half-million Utah jobs—nearly half the workforce of our state. We create and sustain model partnerships to championing Utah’s enviable life quality, commitment to the greater good and promote pro-business policy to drive economic development. More info at www.slchamber.com EDCUtah EDCUtah serves as a catalyst for quality job growth and increased capital investment by assisting in-state companies to grow and recruiting outof-state companies to expand and relocate in Utah. Communities partner with EDCUtah to provide tremendous and diverse opportunities to businesses looking to relocate or expand. More info at www.edcutah.org Utah Science Technology and Research Agency The Utah Science Technology and Research Agency (USTAR) was established in 2006 through the leadership and vision of the Utah Legislature and the Governor to leverage science and technology innovation in support of Utah’s economy. One of USTAR’s founding purposes was to include five Outreach regions throughout the state. The Outreach offices act as a resource for collaboration with universities, entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators across the state. The technology outreach centers are strategically placed across the state to provide access for all communities. More info at: www.ustar.org Utah Small Business Development Center Network The Utah Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) is the largest and most accessible statewide source of assistance for small businesses in every stage of development. The Network has 14 locations across Utah, including 10 regional centers and 4 service locations staffed by 30 team members. The Utah SBDC Network is a partnership between the state’s colleges and universities, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. More info at: www.utahsbdc.org Utah Association of Counties The Utah Association of Counties (UAC) is a voluntary, statewide organization whose mission is to advance county issues with the state and federal government, improve public understanding of county government, assist all 29 counties to develop and share solutions through research and education, and provide effective support services to county officials that foster public trust and improve the efficiency of county government. UAC offers a broad range of management and intergovernmental relations services to elected and non-elected county government officials. More info at: www.uacnet.org Utah League of Cities and Towns ULCT serves 246 incorporated municipalities in the State of Utah. ULCT represents municipal government interests with a strong, unified voice at the state and federal levels and provides information, training and technical assistance to local officials on municipal issues in order to create a greater public awareness and understanding of municipal responsibilities, governance and administration. ULCT is a non partisan, inter-local, government cooperative, working to strengthen the quality of municipal government and administration. More info at: www.ulct.org State of Utah’s Rural Planning Group
P l a n n in g G r o u p
The State of Utah’s Rural Planning Group (RPG) supports rural community development by coordinating public agency resources and providing training, mentoring, studies, tools, and technical assistance. A project of Department of Workforce Services’ Housing and Community Development Division, RPG assists communities with the planning and management necessary to successfully support and maintain local economic growth. More info at: www.ruralplanning.org
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PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE UTAH GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
2013
2016
2017
Cities American Fork Beaver Brigham City Cedar City Eagle Mountain Enoch Ephraim Highland City Hyrum Independence Kamas Kanab
LaVerkin Lindon City Manti Marriott-Slaterville Moab Morgan Murray Myton Nephi North Ogden North Salt Lake Ogden
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Orem Provo Riverdale Santa Clara Santaquin South Jordan Toquerville Wales Washington City West Jordan West Valley
Clearfield Cottonwood Heights Lindon City Roosevelt South Jordan Park City
Roosevelt
UTAH BUSINESS FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
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