Now there's a new ingredient: Business talk radio.

Two Mondays ago, public radio station KCPW quietly launched Midday Marketplace, a show that aims to explore Utah-focused business and economic issues through conversations with guests and callers. The 30-minute program airs each Monday at 10:30 a.m.

"Whether it's a consumer who's got questions about business, or a business person who's got issues with the way taxes are structured here [in Utah], whatever it is, being that conduit is what the show is about," host Lara Jones said.

The show is a roundtable with guests, callers and e-mailers. The first program featured Scott Anderson, chief executive of Zions Bank and chairman of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah; and Jack Brittain, dean of the University of Utah business school. They examined Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s Utah Science, Technology and Research economic development initiative. Huntsman has set aside $62 million to incubate startup companies that spin off from the state's colleges and universities.

Monday's program looked at private and government resources available to those considering opening a new business or trying to make their companies run better.

The Utah Natural Products Alliance has agreed to underwrite the show for three months, said Chris Eisenberg, KCPW's interim station manager.

"We know the overall audience for the station is 40,000 people. We know that the national Marketplace program from American Public Media resonates with our audience. By extension, we can conclude there's interest in this locally," Eisenberg said.

Jones produces KPCW's Midday Metro program, which is broadcast five days a week. She's a former assistant editor at The Enterprise, a Salt Lake City-based business weekly.

Future Midday Marketplace shows will look at the spending power of Utah's Latino community, venture capital, the value of advanced degrees from business schools, and how rising health care expenses affect businesses.

pbeebe@sltrib.com