Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more.

Strengthening ties in Israel

Team Utah got an up-close look at Israel’s thriving economy this past week, and it's clear there are lots of similarities to our own economy. This trade mission is a unique opportunity to learn more about innovation in Israel, find emerging opportunities, and build economic bridges.

We met with businesses like Teva Pharmaceuticals, an Israeli company with 700 employees in Utah. We also met with diplomatic officials, like Israeli President Isaac Herzog and many others.

Fortunately, as part of our bridge-building, we visited some truly meaningful sites like The Church of the Nativity, The Old City of Jerusalem, the City of David, The Old City Market, Temple Mount, and Yad Vashem. We offer our thanks to the guides and locals who welcomed us to these sacred places.

We're grateful for the opportunity to strengthen Utah's relationship with Israel and look forward to our continued friendship. Thank you to the business leaders, government officials, and industry representatives who met with us.

Building connections in the UAE

We also made a quick trip to the United Arab Emirates! While there, Team Utah found there is a lot in common between our two economies and ample room for collaboration. 

We learned about the UAE’s artificial intelligence and coding lessons and shared how our very own Silicon Slopes is on the cutting edge of information technology. We also discussed our common passion for innovation in health and life sciences.

Like the UAE, Utah values its diverse populations. We're grateful for our Muslim friends in Utah, and we appreciate the UAE for welcoming members of other faiths into their nation, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We loved exploring the UAE, seeing its sacred sites, and meeting with its people.

The UAE and Utah share many similarities. When we work together, incredible things happen. Thank you to the business, government, and cultural leaders who met with us. We look forward to strengthening Utah's relationship with the United Arab Emirates.

Hispanic Heritage Month

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize the Hispanic and Latino communities in the state of Utah, whose love of family, strong work ethic, and willingness to share their heritage and traditions have made our state more inclusive and a better place to live.

Latinos are Utah’s largest ethnically diverse community. We want to better understand the needs and priorities of the Latino Community, so we’re hosting a Town Hall on Monday, Oct. 24 at Salt Lake Community College. Register to attend the Town Hall here, and submit your questions here!

Thank you to our sponsors Salt Lake Community College and Trujillo Acosta Law Firm along with the many community partners supporting this event!

A new state flag

Professional designers and artists have crafted ideas submitted by Utahns into 20 "flag-worthy” designs for a new Utah State Flag. Now it's time for the public to weigh in on the designs by taking this survey. Be a part of creating the "People's Flag" of Utah! We'll be accepting your feedback and comments through Oct. 5.

Celebrating Utah’s vibrant culinary culture

We’re spotlighting Utah’s vibrant culinary culture this month, and, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’d like to showcase Visit Utah’s roundup of some of the Salt Lake Valley’s best Latino cuisine.

Click here for more on the best Latino coffee houses, bakeries, and restaurants.

Your favorite local restaurants

Speaking of food, we’ve been asking #OneUtah subscribers which local spots rank high on their lists, and you did not disappoint. Here’s a look at your favorite Utah restaurants!

Bella’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Bella's Fresh Mexican Grill in Farr West. It's a family owned restaurant. The staff are wonderful, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting!
— Dorothy, Morgan

Milt’s Stage Shop
Milt's in Cedar City is a classic. Everything on the menu is great. Whether you're visiting the Utah Shakespeare Festival, celebrating a graduation, or dropping a student off at school or even just looking for a nice meal, Milt's is the place to go.
— Riah, Ogden

Real Taqueria
Real Taqueria in Holladay has amazing carne asada nachos. The hot sauce is very spicy and delicious!
— Sherreen, Sandy

ICYMI

• The Utah Labor Commission is again accepting applications for its annual workplace safety grant. Learn more here.
• Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. We honor and recognize those taken as prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. We will never forget their service, courage, and sacrifice.
• We declared Sept. 9 to Sept. 17 as Welcoming Week and invite Utahns to join with people across the nation to participate in celebrating the contributions that new Americans make to our great country.
• The Department of Workforce Services has the data you need to make informed career, hiring, or policy decisions. Explore the latest Labor Market Information here.
• The Utah Department of Commerce and Attorney General Sean D. Reyes announced a $438.5 million agreement between JUUL Labs and 34 states and territories. This agreement resolves a two-year, bipartisan investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer’s marketing and sales practices. Read more here.
• This week, we joined 21 other Republican governors in issuing a joint letter to President Joe Biden expressing disagreement with his Student Loan Forgiveness Plan.

Coming up

• Sept. 17: Happy Constitution Day! This day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
• Sept. 21: We’ll be at the Utah Business Women of the Year Luncheon celebrating the achievements of women across various industries in our state.
• Oct. 24: We’ll host the 2022 Utah Governor Latino Town Hall. More details here.

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!

You can reach the Governor's Office here. And you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest news and updates.

Contact the Governor's Office