Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity

We champion Gov. Cox’s commitment to providing economic opportunity for all Utahns. The office supports Utah entrepreneurs and businesses. We work to retain and recruit companies and bring more high-paying jobs to Utah. In addition, we work with industries, Utah regions, communities, and nonprofits to implement strategic economic development plans and reinforce Utah’s already diverse, prosperous economy. We utilize federal and state resources and private-sector contracts to cultivate economic prosperity for all Utahns. Our teams manage programs and initiatives supporting: - Business Incentives - Federal Opportunity Zones - International trade and diplomacy - Rural Utah communities - Tourism and film production - Utah entrepreneurs and businesses Our History Over the years, the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity has been known by many names. Yet, it has remained committed to growing and supporting businesses in Utah's urban and rural communities and encouraging an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to work. From 1986 to 2005, the office was known as the Division of Business and Economic Development within the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development. In 2005, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. changed it from a department to part of the governor's office and named it the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. In the 2021 legislative session, following a recommendation from newly elected Gov. Spencer J. Cox, the office was renamed the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Shifting from economic development to economic opportunity more appropriately reflects Gov. Cox’s commitment to One Utah and the vision of his administration's One Utah Roadmap. The Economic Opportunity offices’ budget and the number of full-time employees have grown to accommodate its mission. Today, the office manages over $240 million in state and federal funding with a full- and part-time staff of nearly 100 people. The office stewards the world’s best economy and quality of life. The team cultivates prosperity, future-proofs Utah’s economy, and works with business at the speed of business.