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.

Creating more affordable housing in Utah

We’re happy to share that on Sep 9th, the Utah Office of Homeless Services approved the use of $55 million for deeply affordable housing at the Utah Homelessness Council meeting. The funding will allow for the addition of 1,078 affordable housing units across the state.

“The Office of Homeless Services is committed to working and collaborating with all stakeholders to address the housing and support needs for our most vulnerable friends and neighbors in Salt Lake County,” said Wayne Niederhauser, State of Utah Homeless Coordinator. 

We’re proud of the work being done in this space, and we look forward to supporting the Office of Homeless Services as they undertake these projects.

Leading the nation in cost-efficient, innovative health care

We were pleased to announce the next phase of the One Utah Health Collaborative, a community-owned nonprofit 501(c)(3) we launched last fall that aims to transform health care in Utah. 

Addressing the cost of health care has become an economic imperative. Failure to do so will stunt Utah’s economic growth by constraining employer profits, decreasing employee wages, and crowding out other state spending priorities. 

The new executive director, Jaime Wissler, and new board members – Chairman of the Board Ryan Morley, Rita Aguilar, Rebecca Benally, Marc Bennett, RyLee Curtis, and Jeremy Keele – will continue to work with community partners to improve health and lower costs. Representatives from Intermountain Healthcare, Flying J. Management, and University of Utah Health have committed to goals within their own spheres, including increases in access to behavioral health care for Intermountain Healthcare patients, expanding the scope of the University of Utah Medical Group’s innovative Intensive Outpatient Clinic, and an internal proactive health and wellness support program for Maverik employees by Flying J Management.

We’re grateful to everyone who’s joining us in this important community effort.

Light in Westwater

On Sept. 1 – for the first time ever – electricity buzzed along newly installed power lines and into the 29 lots that form the Diné community of Westwater. Navajo Nation residents can now expect affordable, reliable electricity in their homes after decades of promises.

“My heart swelled with joy when I heard the news,” Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who was in Blanding at the time, said. “Commonplace in Blanding, the sight of power lines swooping from house to house in Westwater marks the fulfillment of a long-overdue promise to the Diné just outside Blanding. I won’t understate the difficulty of this project, but I can’t overstate the level of collaboration and generosity that got us here. I’m grateful for so many helping hands and deeply happy for the residents of Westwater.”

A uniquely difficult political and logistical challenge, the electrification effort received funding from the Navajo Nation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Utah Legislature. 

This is a long time coming, and we’re so grateful to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, Sen. David Hinkins, Rep. Phil Lyman, and the many leaders who have overcome tremendous obstacles to do the right thing and provide power to residents who desperately need it. We especially thank Lt. Gov. Henderson for her efforts getting this project closer to providing essential services for this community.

Utah’s Suicide Prevention Playbook

Everyone has the power to prevent suicide, including you.

We know that suicide can be difficult to talk about, but raising awareness and reducing the stigma can save lives. That’s why we’re declaring this Saturday World Suicide Prevention Day in Utah. We’re also happy to share Live On Utah’s new playbook — the world’s first-ever suicide prevention course taught entirely over Instagram. Here’s how to participate:

1. Enroll for free by following @LiveOnUtah on Instagram.
2. Go through each post at your own pace. Each lesson takes just a few minutes.
3. When you finish, we’ll send you a certificate you can post on your own account!

We encourage everyone to participate. Together we can save lives.

And please remember: If you or a loved one is in crisis, know that help is available. Call 988, download the SafeUT app, or visit liveonutah.org.

A new state flag

Last spring, as part of the More Than A Flag effort, Utahns from across the state submitted more than 7,000 ideas and designs for a new flag. Since then, a committee has selected and refined 20 semi-final designs that can be viewed — and commented on — here.

A public conversation about designing a new state flag offers Utahns the chance to talk about who we are now, as a people and as a state, and we hope you’ll make your voice heard!

9/11 Day of Service

On September 11, 2001, many lives were lost in attacks on our nation.

But in the aftermath of such tragedy, thousands of volunteers stepped forward to help, braving physical and emotional hardship, to support the rescue and recovery efforts.

Through acts of service, we demonstrated that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

This year on 9/11 Day, we will continue to demonstrate unity through our service. On 9/11 Day, you can show up for your community by volunteering to support our local schools, food banks, senior centers, and other organizations. Through service alongside our neighbors, we can build more inclusive and just communities that advance racial equality, create opportunity, and foster respect for individual differences.

Find volunteer opportunities this 9/11 Day by visiting AmeriCorps.gov/911Day.

Addressing drought in the West

We’re continuing to share ways in which the state is working to conserve water and plan for a drier future. This week, we’re talking about working with tribes.

Utah respects tribal water rights. The state has engaged with several Indian tribes throughout the state to quantify their water rights. These tribes have shown a willingness to work together with the state and federal government in determining an equitable solution, and have also often been champions of responsible water use and conservation.

This past year, we joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez in signing a federal reserved water rights settlement agreement. This agreement – 18 years in the making – recognizes and protects the reserved water rights of the Navajo Nation and will help bring clean drinking water to the Navajo people in Utah.

Read more about how we’re addressing drought in the West here.

Back in the classroom

We always love getting off Capitol Hill and into the classroom. Lt. Gov. Henderson joined Regents Professor Dave Buhler at the University of Utah for his campaign management class on Tuesday. Students asked smart questions about pathways to the ballot, Utah election law, and the history of vote by mail in the Beehive State. 

Lt. Gov. Henderson may have geeked out a little bit as she explained the role of chief election officer in the state and the importance of civic engagement. Reminder: The competition for the Utah Campus Cup is heating up. The statewide voter registration challenge puts Utah’s universities head to head as they fight to register the most students before the 2022 General Election. Learn more about the Utah Campus Cup here.

Help your businesses improve workplace safety

The Utah Labor Commission is again accepting applications for its annual workplace safety grant! Your business can apply for two types of grants:  

• Program Grants, which provides funds for organizations to start new or continue to create safer working conditions; and
• Awards Grants, which helps nonprofit, trade, and industry organizations fund activities and events to recognize employees, partners, and affiliates for their commitment to and actions that improve workplace safety. This grant is limited to $5,000 per organization.

Grant funds can be used to develop workshops and training, implement specialized safety programs, increase effort and resources for existing programs, collaborate workplace safety training between organizations, and more.

There is approximately $500,000 to be distributed January through December 2023, Apply — and find more information — here by Sept. 30.

Celebrating Utah’s vibrant culinary culture

Utah’s agricultural heritage runs deep, drawing upon the homesteading and self-sufficiency of Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and the agricultural knowledge of the region’s Native residents.

The collective mission of Visit Utah’s “Good Roots” series serves to elevate the tastes of Utahns and visitors through heritage and best practices, new and old. In these stories, we’re spotlighting a handful of Central and Southern Utah, Wasatch Front and Northern Utah agricultural entrepreneurs to appreciate the state’s bounty, and cultivate pride in our ever-blossoming food scene.

Click here to meet the representatives of Utah’s Good Roots.

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!

Miller’s Drive Thru
Miller's in Manti has the best burgers and donuts. Other places are good, but there's nothing quite like Miller's. They fresh bake their buns for their burgers and sandwiches every day, and you can smell the fresh baked donuts as soon as you walk through the door. The smell is so homey, and I love it. When I was in college, my mom and I stopped there whenever she visited because their food is so good. 
— Riah, Ogden

Oh Mai 
Oh Mai is one of my local favorites for fresh, fast, and flavorful Vietnamese food from locals who migrated from Vietnam. I love their noodle salad with honey glazed pork, their banh mi sandwiches are also very good, but nothing beats a nice bowl of Pho on a cold winter's day with the rich broth, fresh basil, cilantro, and jalapeno with hoisin and as much sriracha as I dare. I believe this restaurant is operated by a family member from the Cafe Trang restaurants which have been operating in Utah for decades and a favorite among many. 
— Jorie, South Jordan

Chile Tepin
The Molcajetes are our favorite. The tomatillo sauce is to die for, and all the flavors make your mouth happy! It's one of our favorite places to dine.
— Brooke, Herriman

ICYMI

For more than 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II served her people with strength, grace, and unwavering dedication. She will be missed. Our prayers go out to the Royal Family and to the people of the Commonwealth.

The 19th annual American Red Cross “Blood Battle” between Weber State University and Utah State University is here. Help these schools reach their donation goal and save lives. Learn more here.

Utah’s Department of Workforce Services helps job seekers find jobs that fit their needs. They’re dedicated staff offer job search assistance, resume writing assistance, job preparation workshops, onsite recruitments and more. Learn more at jobs.utah.gov.

Lt. Gov. Henderson welcomed a delegation from Greenland on Tuesday. Led by Jørgen Hammeken-Holm, Greenland’s secretary over natural resources, the delegation met with mineral extraction experts in Utah as the country looks to expand the industry at home.

Just a reminder that — even though we were blessed by monsoonal rains in July and August — we are seeing some peak fire conditions again throughout the state. Please exercise extreme caution over the next few days until cooler temps and rain make their way back to Utah.

Have you received a text from a store like Costco or Home Depot asking you to fill out a survey to claim a freebie? It could be a scam. Utah’s Department of Commerce has everything you need to know here.

Coming up

Sept. 9: We’re going on a trade mission to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned for details!

Sept. 11: Today we remember those we lost on 9/11. We recognize the first responders, rescue crews, and ordinary people who rushed to help. We honor our military members who served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms and safety. May we never forget our strength, resilience, and unity.

Sept. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month begins! We use this time to recognize the vast contributions made by Hispanics and Latinos within Utah and across the nation.

Sept. 16: Stakeholders will celebrate the successful electrification effort in Westwater at USU Blanding.

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 now! 

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