Report from NFIB Utah State Director Casey Hill

In his 2025 State of the State address delivered on January 23, Gov. Spencer Cox emphasized the theme “built here,” urging Utahns to unite in building a stronger, more prosperous future.

He outlined key policy priorities, including housing attainability, energy abundance, permitting reform, community safety, and family strength.

While Governor Cox did not specifically mention small businesses in his address, several of his proposed initiatives could positively impact them:

— Housing Attainability: The governor announced plans to reform regulatory processes and construct 35,000 starter homes within five years. This effort aims to keep the Utah dream alive by increasing housing supply, which could benefit small businesses by attracting and retaining a stable workforce.

— Energy Abundance: Utah aims to lead in energy innovation by deploying advanced nuclear reactors and increasing energy exports through Operation Gigawatt. These initiatives seek to unleash Utah’s energy resources, drive energy prices down, and make the grid more secure and reliable, potentially reducing energy costs for small businesses.

— Permitting Reform: Citing delays in federal approvals, Governor Cox called for streamlining permitting processes while upholding environmental stewardship. Simplifying these processes could make it easier for small businesses to start and expand their operations.

Additionally, Governor Cox emphasized the importance of supporting people to build businesses, farms, and families, and highlighting the state’s commitment to fostering an environment where small businesses can thrive.

[Photo courtesy of the Utah State Office of the Governor]