Utah

Powering Futures — Utah’s Manufacturing Leaders Shape Next-Gen Workforce and Innovation

Published

5 months ago

October 31, 2025

Powering Futures — Utah’s Manufacturing Leaders Shape Next-Gen Workforce and Innovation

Salt Lake City, Utah — October 31, 2025

On October 30, KolobX convened nearly 300 industry leaders, innovators, and educators in downtown Salt Lake City for Powering Futures — Advanced Manufacturing & Next-Gen Leadership, an event focused on empowering the next generation of builders, engineers, and manufacturers.

The event brought together key stakeholders across Utah’s manufacturing and aerospace ecosystem — including small businesses, large corporations, educators, and students — to explore workforce development, technology adoption, and collaborative innovation.

Leaders from Northstar Photonics, 47G, and Utah Manufacturers Association explored the opportunities and challenges shaping this next-generation workforce.

A Small State with Big Potential

Utah’s small size is both an advantage and a challenge. Caroline Chapdelaine, CEO of Northstar Photonics, noted that “we can reach out to just about anyone in the state very easily — get the help we need, find the suppliers we need, or recruit people for our workforce. That gets me excited as a business owner, but it also scares me because there’s not a huge workforce to tap into when I expand.”

Chapdelaine highlighted Utah’s tight-knit business culture and growing ecosystem: “We have such a wonderful culture here. As we bring outsiders in, we can show them the Utah way and integrate them into what is a very nice, tight-knit family.” She emphasized the role of local universities, such as Utah State University and the University of Utah, in supporting workforce development through specialized labs and hands-on collaboration.

Johnny Ferry, President and CEO of Utah Manufacturers Association, added perspective on scale: “Many think of manufacturing as just a building with smoke stacks, but that’s only the primary manufacturer. In Utah, there are over 5,000 registered primary manufacturing businesses. But the broader ecosystem — including supply chain, R&D, distribution, warehousing, quality, and regulatory compliance — encompasses more than 85,000 registered businesses. That’s where Utah’s GDP and economic impact really come from.”

Modern Jobs in a High-Tech Landscape

The manufacturing workforce has been transformed by technology. Kori Ann Edwards, Chief Strategy Officer of 47G, said that “AI, robotics, and automation have created entirely new roles. Instead of performing manual tasks, people are now managing machines, analyzing data, and solving complex problems. This attracts a new kind of talent, elevates wages, and makes manufacturing much more engaging than it was before.”

Ferry illustrated this with a concrete example: “A chocolate company from San Francisco needed a new technology to produce single-serve packets. By partnering with the state and securing a grant, we brought the technology to Utah and trained local staff. The machines now produce 250–300 packets per minute. Not only did we land the business, but the ripple effects benefit employees and consumers alike.”

Chapdelaine added, “If students and young professionals can see the impact of their work — that they make a difference — they’re more likely to want to enter the field.”

Connecting Students to Industry

Programs that expose students to the industry are central to workforce development. Edwards described several statewide initiatives: “Talent Ready Utah bridges industry with the Utah System of Higher Education. It ensures companies are connected to the skills students are learning. We also have Pathways programs for internships in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing, and K–12 computer science initiatives to get kids excited early.”

Events like next week’s 47G’s Zero Gravity Summit bring these initiatives to life. Edwards explained, “We’re inviting 1,000 students — 700 college students and 700 high school students — to participate. Every university can send 75 students at no cost. The goal is exposure and inspiration, showing students that manufacturing is high-tech, creative, and impactful.”

Ferry highlighted inclusivity: “We recently participated in a program for students on the autism spectrum interested in manufacturing. Many roles are repetitive and structured — ideal for a range of skills. Grants are available to support manufacturers who want to participate, giving these students meaningful pathways into the workforce.”

Chapdelaine also stressed creativity as a critical skill: “Creative people thrive in this industry. They like to see something go from nothing to something. Exposure and hands-on experience are key to attracting the next generation.”

Bridging Gaps in Collaboration

Despite its strengths, Utah’s ecosystem faces challenges connecting small businesses with large corporations. Chapdelaine observed, “As small business owners, we know how to stick together and support each other. The state does a great job with programs, and 47G has built a strong ecosystem. But bridging the gap between small businesses and companies like Boeing or Northrop is hard. They live in DC and often forget that their supply chain depends on us.”

Edwards emphasized participation: “There are many programs and opportunities, but if you’re not involved, that’s the gap. Join advisory boards at tech colleges, engage with associations like UAMMI or 47G, and make sure your voice is heard. Institutions can adapt quickly to meet industry needs, but only if businesses participate.”

Ferry also highlighted opportunity in the broader ecosystem: “The scale of Utah manufacturing is immense. You can work anywhere in the ecosystem — supply chain, R&D, operations, distribution — and you’re part of manufacturing. But the more businesses collaborate, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.”

State Support and Forward Momentum

State programs have been central to Utah’s manufacturing resurgence. Edwards and Ferry cited initiatives such as the Modern Manufacturing Nation grants, R&D tax credits, and Talent Ready Utah, which provide both financial incentives and structured pipelines to prepare the workforce.

Edwards concluded, “The state is being very intentional. With these programs, students get exposure, businesses get skilled employees, and the ecosystem grows stronger every year.”

Utah’s manufacturing sector is at a crossroads of technology, talent, and collaboration. Chapdelaine said it best: “If anyone can solve the challenge of connecting small businesses to big corporations consistently, it would be transformative for Utah’s manufacturing ecosystem.”

In response to Chapdelaine’s insight, KolobX is actively pursuing frameworks to bridge this critical gap, linking innovation to scale.

Founded by Jakob Noble in 2025 and headquartered in Lehi, Utah, KolobX is a Global Strategic Intelligence & Integration Firm. It curates tactical engagements and implements actionable solutions that advance integrated operations across industries and regions. The organization also forms working groups focused on energy & grid innovation, municipal deployment strategy, infrastructure policy & permitting, and youth & workforce engagement. Katherine Gottfredson is a key collaborator and advisor.

The organization also pilots strategic partnerships with municipalities, tech companies, and global development leaders, creating opportunities for participants to move beyond panels and shape real-world outcomes.

More information about Zero Gravity Summit:

47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense is set to host the 2025 Zero Gravity Summit, large gatherings focused on the future of national security, defense innovation, aerospace, energy resilience and advanced air mobility systems. The two-day summit will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4 – Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. It will convene leaders at the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City from the Department of Defense, major aerospace companies, startup founders, investors, energy innovators and policymakers to discuss emerging technologies that are transforming how the U.S. leads on the global stage.

Register at zerogravitysummit.com

Salt Palace Convention Center | 100 S.W. Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Speakers will include:

Spencer Cox, State of Utah Governor
Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor of South Carolina
Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine
Peyton Manning, NFL Hall of Famer and entrepreneur
Aaron Starks, 47G President and CEO
Brad Wilson, CEO of Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Read about TechBuzz‘ coverage of last year’s inaugural 2024 Zero Gravity Summit.

Source link

Click to comment

Utah

Vejmelka, Utah Shutout Golden Knights in Vegas | Utah Mammoth

Published

6 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Vejmelka, Utah Shutout Golden Knights in Vegas | Utah Mammoth

“I just tried to help the team to get points as much as I can, and it’s a big team win tonight,” Vejmelka shared. “We need every point now. It’s a huge two points.”

After Vegas opened the game with five shots in the first 1:45, Captain Clayton Keller’s goal a minute later shifted momentum to the visitors. 3:18 after his first goal, Keller added his second of the game and doubled the Mammoth’s lead. Keller has found the scoresheet in six of the team’s last seven road games in March (3G, 5A).

“He was ready, his line played really good, especially in the first period,” Tourigny said of Keller. “I’m not saying they fade down after, I’m just saying they were more dynamic in the first. I think it was great to have that offensive production and like I said, three great goals in the first that give us a good lead.”

“Just being around the net,” Keller said of his goals. “Heck of a play by (John Marino) on one, and (a) fortunate bounce. I think when you’re around the net, (the) puck’s going to find you eventually. I think I’ve had a lot of chances lately and just bearing down and it’s good to see them go in.”

Two minutes after the Captain put Utah up 2-0, Jack McBain scored his eighth of the season and increased the Mammoth’s lead to 3-0. McBain has scored in two straight games and continued to bring a high level of physicality with a team-leading seven hits. Tourigny complimented McBain’s line with Barrett Hayton and Michael Carcone.

“I think that line is playing rock solid,” Tourigny shared. “I think it’s night after night. They grind, they compete, they play both sides of the puck. They make plays with the puck, but they make safe plays as well. Really like what they bring.”

The Mammoth picked up all four possible points on this two-game road trip and will continue to push for a post-season berth. However, it’s a quick turnaround as the team travels back to Salt Lake City to host the Anaheim Ducks Friday night.

“We know the schedule, so every game matters now,” Vejmelka said. “We have another big challenge tomorrow. We need to reset pretty quick and get ready for tomorrow.”

Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)

This marks Utah’s second straight shutout win at T-Mobile Arena, after earning a 6-0 victory in the second road matchup with Vegas in 2024-25.

Mikhail Sergachev has now earned points in four of his last five games (1G, 3A).

Keller’s two goals came over the opening 6:05 of regulation, marking the second-fastest two goals by any player from the start of a game in franchise history.

Source link

Utah

One more bad day and the Prop. 4 repeal misses the ballot

Published

18 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

One more bad day and the Prop. 4 repeal misses the ballot

Utah’s Prop. 4 repeal is hanging by a thread. A steady drip of signature removals has the Republican-led effort to undo the state’s voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law on the edge of missing November’s ballot.

Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG) wants voters to repeal Prop. 4, the 2018 ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission and outlawed partisan gerrymandering. To qualify the repeal for the ballot, organizers had to collect signatures equal to 8% of active voters statewide and also reach that 8% target in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts.

Utah also lets voters who signed a petition remove their signature within a specified window. Opponents of the repeal effort have been taking advantage of that window, contacting signers and urging them to rescind their signatures.

As of Thursday morning, updated totals show another 118 signatures removed in Senate District 15, shrinking the cushion to a paper-thin 114 above the threshold. One more day like this, and SD15 fails, taking the repeal’s ballot hopes with it.

Other districts are also eroding, but not quite as rapidly:

SD12: 460 surplus signatures (12 removals today)
SD17: 577 surplus signatures (33 removals today)
SD10: 590 surplus signatures (6 removals today)
SD8: 652 surplus signatures (8 removals today)

In 2018, the Count My Vote initiative, which sought to shift Utah’s elections from the caucus/convention system for nominating candidates to a direct primary election, initially submitted more than 132,000 signatures—enough to qualify the measure for the ballot. The initiative was knocked off the ballot after opponents peeled off just enough names in two Senate districts. The Utah Supreme Court later upheld the state’s removal process.

Voters have 45 days from when their name is posted online to pull their signature off a petition. In SD15 alone, nearly 3,400 names are still within that window—about 29 times the size of the district’s current 114-signature surplus.

Source link

Utah

Black Utah license plates will soon double in price

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Black Utah license plates will soon double in price

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Soon, there will be a new price for those trendy black license plates.

The price is increasing from $25 to $50 thanks to a new bill.

MORE | Gov. Cox signs 60 more bills of 2026 Leislative Session into law

Previously, when you would buy a plate, some of that money went to the Utah State Historical Society. Now, it’s going into three different funds.

$5.50 into the Cultural and Community Engagement Foundation Fund
$23 into the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005
$21.50 into the Olympic and Paralympic Venues Grant Fund

There’s a reason why the plates are so popular.

“Looks cooler,” Carson Mac said.

Mac already has one and is getting a second one for his other car.

“Nobody else had them, and Utah’s were a little colorful, so I was like ‘eh nah,’” he said. “As soon as the black ones came out, I was like ‘yeah, I’m going to get that.’”

The plates came out in May 2023 and have been $25 since then, but the new bill changes that starting in January 2027.

“Why are they charging more for something that costs the exact same?” Mac asked. “If it’s something for Olympic venues, where’s our taxes going?”

Senator Chris Wilson sponsored the bill and wasn’t available for an interview.

However, Senate spokesperson Aundrea Peterson sent 2News the following statement:

“Utah is known for consistently delivering tax relief to citizens and families while planning for long-term growth. With growing transportation demands, a strong arts community and the 2034 Olympics on the horizon, we are making responsible investments in the foundation our state depends on. The black license plate is a voluntary user-based option that supports priorities without raising taxes. It’s a practical approach that keeps Utah moving forward.”

_____

Source link