By Anne-Marie Wright, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Every year, hundreds of students graduate from Utah’s high schools and colleges. And every year, hundreds of Utah manufacturers create jobs. The problem is that few of these graduates are qualified to fill those jobs due to the disconnect between their education and industry needs.

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s longest-standing statewide business association, considers education and the development of a first-class workforce to be a top priority. Even in challenging economic times, the business community calls upon the State Legislature to fully fund education.

By David J. Jordan 
Partner, Stoel Rives

It is a foolish farmer who eats his seed corn in tough times. Nothing will be left to plant for a future harvest. Utah students are the seed corn of our economy. If we do not do our very best to teach and train them now, they will not be equipped to create and fill the careers of tomorrow; and we will all be the poorer for it.

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s longest-standing statewide business association, presented the public policy priorities of the business community today, calling on elected officials to implement business principles as they make decisions during the upcoming legislative session.

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s longest-standing statewide business association, will present the 2010 Small Business Awards at the Chamber’s 107th Annual Meeting February 11th at noon.

By Lane Beattie, President and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber

Some interesting messages about education were delivered on Capitol Hill this week. The private sector is expanding its investment. The public sector is trying to decide.

By Lane Beattie, President and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber

From my years in the senate, I know legislators face a difficult task. Balancing the state budget—particularly in lean times—may make legislators feel as though they are required to play notes on opposite ends of the keyboard and in the middle.

Alumni from Leadership Utah gathered Tuesday with employees of the Salt Lake Chamber to participate in the Road Home’s annual clothing and fundraising drive.