UTAH GOVERNOR JON M. HUNTSMAN presides over what has been recognized in numerous studies and publications as the best-governed state in the nation. Utah garnered top honors in the highly-regarded Pew Center on States Government Performance for 2008, based on a wide-ranging assessment that encompasses management of people, information, infrastructure and capital. The study cited Utah’s “savvy business acumen” and the manner in which decisions are made “with an eye toward return on investment and longterm performance in all facets of state government.” Utah was also one of only two U.S. states to receive an A grade for governance in World magazine’s 2007 study on the states. The State of Utah enjoys a AAA bond rating. Utah has also been awarded consecutive “Silver Shovel” awards for dynamic economic development efforts in the “under-3million” population category from Area Development online. In addition, the State was named the most tech-savvy state in the nation by the 2008 Digital States Survey, a comprehensive biannual survey performed by the Center for Digital Government. The study engaged the efforts of state chief information officers and senior executives from throughout the nation in analyzing information and services provided to citizens in areas ranging from technology infrastructure to online applications and new Web 2.0 technologies– and the nation’s first measurement of sustainability (especially ”green IT”) efforts. This rigor and quality of governance extended to Utah municipalities, with Salt Lake City being named by the State Farm Insurance Company as the
GOVERNMENT
Utah Ranked 4th for its ProBusiness Climate by Business Facilities magazine.
Utah ranked second “Best State of Business” by Forbes. HIGHLIGHTS Utah’s government has a strong tradition of collaborating with the State’s private sector to create innovative economic development legislation.
Utah Top 10 States with Stable Revenues for 2009. National Conference of State Legislatures, State Budget Update: 2008
18
UTAH FACTS 2009
Utah #3 “America’s Top Ten States for Business” 2008 by CNBC.
Utah named “The Best Managed State in the Nation” by The Pew Center on the States.
