We want to sincerely thank U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams and everyone who attended this week’s virtual forum on COVID-19.  As was mentioned on the call, we will likely be hosting this meeting weekly going forward and would like to continue this conversation throughout the week on our Facebook forum:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/142558210460193/

In summary, here are some highlights U.S. Rep. McAdams shared:

• Congress passed the 4th bill, an additional $400 Billion for economic support, which includes PPP loans and other small business resources.
• His office has received many phone calls from small business owners who have been unable to access loans etc. In response, he has requested the SBA release the list of businesses who have received funds, transparency is vital to making sure distributions are fair.
• Rep. McAdams reported that the Utah Department of Workforce Services has reported that 70% of those receiving unemployment benefits are job attached.
• Rep. McAdams stressed that gaining the public’s confidence will be the key to a successful re-opening. The first baby step begins on May 1. He also stressed it is up to every business and individual to take responsibility to do their part. Practice good hygiene, wear a mask in public, sanitize often.
• The Government is looking at several options to reduce the deficit moving forward, so far nothing has been decided concretely.
• The SBA application portal is currently closed as they work through loans already in the queue, it is thought to be reopened soon, TBA.

Special thanks to Salt Lake County Economic Development for the sponsorship of UIBC’s educational events.

The next virtual meeting will be on Thursday, May 7th,  Click here to register to join the meeting.

P.S. You can support our mission by joining UIBC. Click here for more information: https://utahindependentbusiness.org/join/

The 2019 Utah State Legislative Session was an important session affecting Utah’s independent businesses. Bills concerning tax reform (including business personal property taxes and new taxes on services), transportation, education, and affordable housing were all up for debate. Join us for review of key legislation that was debated and passed in the 2019 session. We will also hear about the critical issue of tax reform that will affect all Utah businesses that our businesses need to understand and prepare for now.  The President of the Utah State Senate, J. Stuart Adams, who is a key figure in tax reform, will be one of the speakers.  This will be one of the first opportunities for business owners to discuss tax reform directly with key legislators. Our legislator speakers need to hear your opinions as they work on tax reform that will affect all Utah businesses.

Speakers will include:

•  J. Stuart Adams, Utah Senate President and chair of the special tax reform task force
• Dave Davis, President & Chief Legal Officer of the Utah Retail Merchants Association
• John Lair, President & CEO of Momentum Recycling
• Representative Robert Spendlove

This is the second event in the 2019 Wasatch Business Series, a collaborative effort that is focused on bringing impactful networking and educational opportunities to business owners across the Wasatch Front.

The Wasatch Business Series is brought to you by the Utah Independent Business Coalition, Holladay Chamber of Commerce, Sugar House Chamber of Commerce, Millcreek Business Council,  South Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, and the Murray Chamber of Commerce.

Event Details:

Location: Holladay City Hall, 4580 S. 2300 E., Holladay, UT

Date & Time: April 18, 2019 – 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Admission: $18 (includes breakfast from Midvale Mining Cafe)

Order of Events:

7:30 – Event begins and light breakfast buffet

7:45 – Welcome & Introductions – Doug Burton, President, Utah Independent Business Coalition

8:00 – Dave Davis, Utah Retail Merchants Association – 2019 Legislature Wrap-Up

8:15 – John Lair, Momentum Recycling – The Personal Tangible Property Tax & Tax Reform

8:30 – Sen. Pres. J. Stuart Adams – Why Tax Reform is Needed and Main Considerations

8:45 – Special guest state representative from the Tax Reform Task Force – work and discussions necessary to complete tax reform planning

9:00 – Q & A with all four speakers

9:25 – Closing remarks

9:30 – Event finished

Speaker Bios

Senate President J. Stuart Adams:

Senator J. Stuart Adams represents Utah Senate District 22 and resides in Layton, Utah.  Senator Adams, a Republican, was first appointed to the Utah House of Representatives in 2002, and then to the Senate in 2009. In 2012, he was chosen to be Senate Majority Whip.  Most recently, in 2018, he was chosen as the Senate President.  He serves on several legislative committees, including the Executive Appropriations Committee, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee.  Senator Adams is a businessman focused on real estate development and property management, and he holds a B.A. degree in Business Finance from the University of Utah.Senate President J. Stuart Adams:

Senator J. Stuart Adams represents Utah Senate District 22 and resides in Layton, Utah.  Senator Adams, a Republican, was first appointed to the Utah House of Representatives in 2002, and then to the Senate in 2009. In 2012, he was chosen to be Senate Majority Whip.  Most recently, in 2018, he was chosen as the Senate President.  He serves on several legislative committees, including the Executive Appropriations Committee, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee.  Senator Adams is a businessman focused on real estate development and property management, and he holds a B.A. degree in Business Finance from the University of Utah.

Representative Robert Spendlove

Representative Robert Spendlove proudly serves in the Utah House of Representatives, where he was elected in 2014. He represents District 49, covering parts of Sandy and Cottonwood Heights cities. He is the Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and serves on the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Social Services Appropriations Committee. He is also a member of the Legislative Tax Reform Task Force.

Professionally, Robert is a Senior Vice President and the Economic and Public Policy Officer for Zions Bank. In this capacity he monitors and reports on economic indicators and public policy developments for the bank.

John Lair is CEO and Co-Founder of Momentum Recycling in Salt Lake City. He has worked to grow Momentum Recycling, founded in 2008, from a local recycling plant to adding a second glass recycling plant near Denver in 2016. John earned his undergraduate degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and his MBA from the University of Utah. After college, he spent his first years in the tech industry, including as IT director for a regional accounting firm in Utah. He also founded and grew an electronics company before later helping to found Momentum Recycling. Momentum Recycling originated from John’s passions for our environment, local community, and personal ethics. In addition, John has been a member of Salt Lake City’s Business Advisory Board since 2013, representing District 2, plus he has served on the Loan Committee for the Salt Lake City Economic Development Loan Fund and was a long-time board member of the Utah Independent Business Coalition.

Dave Davis, President & Chief Legal Officer of the Utah Retail Merchants Association

Dave Davis is President & Chief Legal Officer of both the Utah Retail Merchants Association and the Utah Food Industry Association. He has served both organizations since 2007 and advocates for interests of hundreds of different small, medium, and large businesses in Utah, including advocating for businesses at the Utah State Legislature. Dave’s prior work included serving as director of human relations and general counsel for both Macey’s Food Stores and Associated Food Stores. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Utah, and his law degree from Brigham Young University. He has spoken before at other Utah Independent Business Coalition events.