One even suggested that the state annex Fort Douglas, a former outpost and current military museum at the University of Utah, to allow medical and technology companies to set up office space there.

Huntsman didn't comment on the suggestions. Instead, he said he invited CEOs from 100 of the state's top companies to listen to their suggestions for help from Capitol Hill.

The freshman governor, who has a deep background in trade and business, has long said economic development would be his top priority in office.

''We have to listen and learn. We're here to share,'' Huntsman said in opening remarks. ''I view government as a mechanism by which we can ensure a competitive market.''

Huntsman said it was ultimately up to entrepreneurs to make or break on their own - but the state had to do everything it could to make Utah an attractive business environment. He said that includes luring more skilled upper management workers, reforming Utah's decades-old tax structure and making sure the state has a top-flight education system.

The governor particularly stressed business expansion in the medical and technology sectors, where Utah has some traction. But several companies and products originated by former Utah students - including Adobe, Netscape and digital animator Pixar - are now gone, which Huntsman said he aims to stop.

In an open-floor session for suggestions, several business leaders expressed frustration about doing business in Utah.

Tim Miller, president of a company called Echelon Biosciences at the University of Utah's research park, said they have to be close to the school but there's no room to expand.

''We don't have quality incubator space close to the U,'' he said.

Josh James, co-founder of Orem-based Omniture, expressed frustration getting startup capital in Utah, and said competitors in Silicon Valley were raising millions while he was getting thousands here. He said there just wasn't enough money in Utah - especially from investors willing to take a chance.

Bruno Vassel III, President & CEO of Draper-based www.iboats.com, which retails watercraft, said he and his son couldn't get startup funds anywhere in-state when they began in 1998. ''Basically, no one would talk to us,'' he said.

Several business owners said they struggled to pay for employees' steadily rising medical expenses, and many said they couldn't find the kind of workers they needed in-state.

Wilford Clyde, president and CEO of the construction company Clyde Companies Inc., said plenty of jobs in his industry are available, but not enough people were trained to take them.

''We need in our education system to make sure that [blue-collar jobs] are still attractive to young people,'' he said.

Venture capitalist Dinesh Patel, one of a handful of other formal speakers, said startup money is still scarce, but Utah is beginning to raise its national profile and attract more investment money.

He said there was just $240 million available in investment capitol a decade ago. Now, there's about $1.4 billion split up over eight major firms.

Patel also said 15 years ago he had to find all his highest-level executives outside the state, and most of them were people who used to live here and wanted to move back. He said that's changing now.

''I get asked, can you drink in Utah?'' Patel said. ''People are reluctant to come, but the trick is getting them to stay for six months.''