Voices: It’s time for Salt Lake City to invest in its Latino community

For many years, the Latino community has been described primarily in terms of participation — labor participation, demographic presence and cultural contribution. While this narrative is not incorrect, it is incomplete.

Today, Salt Lake City has an opportunity to recognize that the Latino community does not merely participate in metropolitan development, but actively contributes to the creation of economic and social value.

As an entrepreneur and business leader working closely with families and small enterprises across the Wasatch Front, I have seen how the Latino community’s work ethic, resilience and long-term commitment generate measurable economic value and strengthen Salt Lake City’s metropolitan growth.

The Salt Lake City metropolitan area has experienced sustained growth in sectors such as construction, services, commerce and entrepreneurship. In each one of these areas, Latino participation has been consistent and essential. This contribution goes beyond workforce numbers; it includes individuals who sustain operations, create businesses, generate employment and provide stability across key segments of the local economy. We should ask, for example, how we can improve access to financing for Latino-owned businesses.

Value creation extends beyond immediate output. It emerges when work generates continuity, when economic activity builds trust and when growth is accompanied by long-term community commitment. Many Latino families demonstrate this commitment daily: purchasing homes, educating their children locally, launching businesses and building their futures in this region.

Salt Lake City’s diversity is reflected not only in its demographics, but in the way different communities contribute to its development. The Latino community has been present during periods of expansion as well as during economic challenges, showing resilience and consistency. This stability — often quiet and under-recognized — represents a meaningful form of economic leadership.

The challenge ahead is not merely acknowledging this contribution, but integrating it more intentionally into the broader conversation about metropolitan growth and future planning. When a community consistently generates value, it is reasonable to ask how that value can also translate into greater participation in leadership, entrepreneurship and civic decision-making.

Sustainable metropolitan growth requires more than economic expansion. It depends on cohesion, clear rules and institutional trust. In this context, the Latino community should not be viewed as a peripheral group, but as a central contributor to the region’s stability and long-term projection. Its experience and adaptability are strategic assets for a city that seeks to grow without fragmentation.

This shift — from participation to value — invites a broader reflection on how success is measured. Is it defined solely by economic indicators, or also by the strength and stability of the communities that sustain growth? Salt Lake City has the opportunity to embrace a more complete understanding of progress, one that recognizes human and social capital as essential components of metropolitan development.

The Latino contribution to Salt Lake City’s growth is neither new nor incidental. It is the result of years of work, sacrifice and commitment to a city that has also provided opportunity.

Recognizing this exchange is not symbolic; it is a strategic step toward a more inclusive and resilient future.

Looking ahead requires a clearer narrative — one in which the Latino community is recognized not simply for being present, but for creating real and sustainable value in Salt Lake City’s metropolitan growth.

Randolf M. Juarez is an entrepreneur and executive based in South Jordan. He focuses on economic development and community-based value creation.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.