Gov. Gary Herbert tells manufacturers that 'unprecedented partnerships' are needed to boost Utah's economy

OGDEN — Gov. Gary Herbert liked what he saw Wednesday at the Utah Manufacturers Association's Best Practices Expo — competitors sharing ideas as a way to improve their entire industry sector.

Now he wants them to do the same with state government.

Speaking to a crowd of about 150 at Weber State University, Herbert stressed that the state needs "unprecedented partnerships" in order to succeed economically.

"We need to work together," the governor said. "I don't have all the answers. I don't even know all the questions. But I know that you know some of the questions, and you know a lot of the answers. I need to hear that. We need to work together for the good of the whole."

Calling it "the heart and soul of economic opportunity," Herbert lauded the manufacturing sector for its diversity in handling issues and taking the lead in research and development and job creation. "It is you guys … that are going to and are leading us out of what we now call the Great Recession," he said.

Herbert noted that 84 percent of Utah's $10 billion in exports are manufactured goods; that the 3,800 manufacturers in the state have a $5.7 billion annual payroll, the largest of the 21 sectors the state tracks; and that manufacturers employ more than 100,000 people and typically pay 37 percent higher than the average Utah wage.

The governor said Utah is faring much better economically than most states, but he remains "focused really laser-like on what we're going to do in Utah to buck the national trend." He said he wants to make Utah "an island of tranquility in what's becoming an ever-increasing sea of chaos as we see coast-to-coast in this country."

The way to accomplish that is to avoid regulation and taxation that stifles the innovation seen in free markets and sometimes forces companies to move overseas, he said. "It's only basic economics and a whole lot of common sense," he said.

"An expanded economic pie" is the way to meet the state's education system and transportation infrastructure needs, he said.

"That's the way you do it," Herbert said. "You don't raise taxes. That just stifles economic growth."

While Utah is getting high rankings from outsiders assessing the state's economy, quality of life and other characteristics, he noted that there still is room for improvement. For example, Utah's 7.1 percent unemployment rate is high by state standards despite being below the national rate.

"We're doing a lot better than most states. Our outlook is bright," Herbert said. "We're not where we want to be, but I'm here to tell you we're on the right road and going in the right direction."

The governor also took a moment to remind the crowd that "profit" is not a dirty word.

"You know, if you don't like rich people," he said, "try getting a job from a poor person and see how that works. I hope everybody becomes wealthy."

e-mail: bwallace@desnews.com