Oct. 17, 2006 — According to Utah’s 2006 Economic Report to the Governor, prepared by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, Utah’s population reached 2.2 million in 2000. This number is projected to more than double to 4.7 million by 2040, a growth rate more than twice the national rate. While providing many opportunities to the Beehive State, this growth will also result in many challenges to the water supply, education and transportation infrastructure, among others.

A summit titled “Challenges = Growth: A Dialogue on Growth in Utah,” organized by the Utah Intergovernmental Roundtable and the University of Utah’s Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA), will be held Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Delta Center, 301 S. West Temple, in downtown Salt Lake City. Registration is $60 and includes lunch. The event is open to the public, but advance registration is required. To register, visit http://www.cppa.utah.edu/uir or call Jolaine Randall at 801-581-6493. Members of the media are invited to attend free of charge.

The summit will explore the impact of future growth and critical issues such as government planning, market forces and regional cooperation in municipal services. Laying the ground work for this discussion will be a series of presentations addressing the specific challenges in key areas including population growth, water, infrastructure, education and transportation.

Participants will include Robert Grow, Senior Counsel, O’Melveny & Myers, LLP and founding Chair Emeritus of Envision Utah; Robert Spendlove, Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget; Fred Finlinson, senior partner, Finlinson & Finlinson; Carlos Braceras, Utah Department of Transportation; Ray Timothy, Utah State Office of Education; Utah Senator Greg Bell; Chris Gamvroulas, Ivory Homes; Wilf Sommerkorn, Davis County Community & Economic Development; Craig Call, State Ombudsman; Jodi Hoffman, Utah League of Cities and Towns; and Alan Matheson, Envision Utah.