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Washington • Gov. Gary Herbert is recruiting business leaders with Utah ties to help lure companies to relocate to the state.
He started his "business ambassadors" program in New York City last week, where he gathered 25 executives, many working on Wall Street, for a private get-together. Those who sign up for the volunteer posts would get updates from the Governor's Office of Economic Development about the state's selling points, which they could provide to friends and associates looking for a new place to do business.
The Governor's Office would also ask ambassadors with specific connections to participate in negotiations with companies about potential tax incentives.
"This would be missionary work that would help Utah's economy," Herbert said Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The governor envisions the business ambassador program operating like alumni groups, with chapters nationwide. Beyond New York and Washington, Herbert said he wants to recruit business leaders in St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco who either grew up in Utah or went to school there.