Public Policy
Public Policy
The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce exists for the benefit of each member and the overall business community. The Staff, Public Policy Committee and Boards determine policies and plans of action aimed at maintaining and developing a community in which business can thrive.
SGACC firmly believes that a well-informed community fosters a thriving democracy. Local elections shape the future from the ground up, and it is crucial for citizens and the business community to have their voice be heard. The Chamber values its engagement with our Sunshine Caucus of local state legislators, as well as with our federal delegation.
The Chamber is proud to host events, provide a platform for ideas, and build consensus around local issues in service to the business community. Join our Public Policy Committee to get involved, get informed, and make a difference today.
2024 Chamber Policy Position Statements
Education
A strong and robust economy demands a highly qualified and educated workforce. Educating and inspiring the next generation of business leaders is a top priority for the chamber. We should invest in our students and teachers. Decisions regarding education should be made at the local level. The Chamber will continue to partner with the Washington County School District, private and charter schools, and will support higher education.
Workforce
The area’s rapidly expanding economy allows for a diverse array of employment opportunities at all skill levels, from entry level to seasoned industry experts. The community is consistently expanding and is rated as one of the nation’s most business-friendly environments. We support investment in quality of life such as trail systems, parks, leisure services and the arts, which fosters an attractive, affordable environment for our workforce. The Chamber will continue to provide opportunities for business and community leaders to develop their professional skills in a competitive workforce.
Health
Southern Utah has always been a strong leader in the medical and public health fields. The local healthcare sphere continues to be recognized as a bustling and robust ecosystem. Residents of Southern Utah, as a result, have enjoyed a high quality of life due to their healthy lifestyles and abundant healthcare resources. Thus, it is imperative that we continue to support the healthcare community, promote health-based educational institutions and learning, and showcase local recreational activities that add to and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Economy
A competitive, diverse, and free-market economy is a healthy economy. We support entrepreneurs and business owners by promoting less government interference and regulation. Eliminating hurdles that stand in the way of entrepreneurship and business growth encourages a vibrant market that offers economic opportunity for all.
Water
Without water, we cannot sustain economic prosperity in the St. George area. Water is a scarce resource. We support conservation, reuse infrastructure, and innovative water development. Meeting our water needs is best accomplished through collaboration between private entities, and government at the local, county, and state level. This collaboration strikes a balance between government stewardship and the ability for businesses to thrive.
Growth and Land Use
Land use policies must enable us to address the growth that is occurring now, while simultaneously planning for the future. Land should be developed in ways that promote smart, locally planned growth while maintaining the quality of life that attracts so many people to southern Utah. The private sector and government entities should work collaboratively on land development initiatives. Policy should guide our expanding and evolving market’s demand for increased density, multi-use, and innovative developments.
Housing
Our expanding workforce needs housing that meets their needs while also accommodating a variety of lifestyles. We support a strong and diverse business base that provides attainable housing options for professionals of all income levels. Policy should guide our expanding and evolving market’s demand for increased density, multi-use, and innovative developments.
Taxes
Low tax rates have made Utah one of the most robust and resilient economies in the nation. Our frugality with tax revenue and low tax rates have kept us competitive. We should maintain a business-friendly tax environment to keep money in the pockets of Washington County residents and support our growing economy. We also believe in government transparency and accountability in how tax revenue is spent.
Regulation
We support simplicity, transparency, and equality for all people applying to establish their business in Washington County. Businesses thrive in an environment with less regulation. They innovate, create jobs and impact the community in meaningful ways. The chamber will actively engage in conversations to protect the rights of businesses to operate and grow.
Infrastructure
A strong economy requires efficient infrastructure. Infrastructure empowers businesses, enables trade and connects residents to their community. In order to maintain a vibrant economy and high quality of life, infrastructure should precede growth. We know that our population is growing rapidly and we must prepare accordingly by maintaining our existing infrastructure and supporting future developments.
Tourism
Southern Utah is an attractive tourist destination, bringing more than six million visitors to our community annually. Our national and state parks, lakes, trails and abundance of other social, cultural and recreational amenities are nationally-renowned. We support local businesses that serve and support the diverse needs of those visiting our area. We should maintain local input in the management of our natural resources to best serve our locals and visitors.
Agriculture
We support the agricultural sector of our local economy and policy that allows for optimized and profitable production. We support agriculturally friendly legislative action that keeps those who produce on our lands viable and profitable.
SGC Council and Congressional District 2 Questionnaire Responses
The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce distributed a questionnaire for comment from all St. George City Council and Congressional District 2 candidates in an effort to raise voter awareness on critical issues affecting business in Southern Utah. These documents contain the full and unedited statements from candidates who submitted responses by publication on Friday, August 1st.
Contact
Nate Martinez
Director of Operations & Policy
E: nate@stgeorgechamber.com
Ph: 435-628-1650
