Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the kickoff of the Guiding Our Growth statewide survey at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The survey asks Utahns what they want for the future of the state when it comes to housing, water, transportation, open space and recreation. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — It’s no secret that Utah is growing at a rapid rate. The Beehive State was the fastest-growing state in the nation between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
And growth is only going to continue, with Utah’s population projected to increase from 3.4 million today to 5.5 million in 2060, according to the University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
All that growth will present Utah with many opportunities but will bring with it a variety of challenges, which is why Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday launched a statewide survey to get input from everyday Utahns about how they want the state to grow.
“We’re here to talk about growth,” he said. “What makes Utah great also makes Utah grow. People come here, they like it, and they want to stay. But we know that growth can threaten what makes Utah great if we don’t plan for it.”
That’s where the Guiding Our Growth initiative comes in. The effort was launched by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget to promote a statewide “conversation” about growth that would help guide policy decisions going forward.