S.L. Chamber forms economic board

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Chamber has announced the creation of the Utah Economic Council.

The council will be a handpicked group of economists and analysts with Utah expertise, according to the chamber. The new board is designed to improve the quality of economic information and interpretation available to business and community leaders, including information about education and immigration.

"The recent economic downturn has reminded us of the importance of credible, thoughtful and robust economic analysis and counsel," said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. "The Utah Economic Council gives us a dream team to provide an economic perspective that is so critical to the business community."

The Chamber's chief economist, Natalie Gochnour, will lead the council, which will include experts from several universities and the Utah Foundation as well as from Wells Fargo and Zions Bank.

— Rebecca Palmer