For example, one person surveyed claims that "the Mormon influence can be a negative. There is no question about that." Another states that there is a stigma associated with the state that "if you are not a Mormon it may not be a place that you fit in."

Others said the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is responsible for such positive attributes as "the state's work ethic, friendliness, clean streets, public safety and the overall absence of crime" and one called it "a great place to live and work."

Other concerns include the state's size. The state's population isn't large enough and is only "well positioned among the square states with large populations of mule deer, not people," one respondent said. Utah can't win against states that can offer bigger economic incentives to attract businesses, others said. Competitors, according to the report, include cities in Nevada, New Mexico and Texas as well as Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle and Boise.

One asked whether Utah "was really interested in acquiring outside companies to relocate or expand in Utah or is it just paying the concept lip service. . . . Utah does not appear to have either the stomach or the wallet to really go after aggressive recruitment into the state."

There were positives, such as the lower cost of doing business and the strength of the work force in terms of "reliability and wage rates," although several commented that Utahns aren't interested in demanding jobs that require long hours.

The governor was to be briefed on the report earlier this week but had to postpone because of a last-minute trip to Washington, D.C. Huntsman made economic development his top priority during his campaign. Since taking office in January, he dismantled the state's economic development department and made its duties part of his office.

Roybal said he "feels very good about where things are going" and has no plans to make changes in the state's economic development strategy as a result of the report. "We believe the community and the state sells itself."

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