By Albert C. Jones
The Diversity Times Staff

Five ethnic chambers of commerce were among 16 chambers of commerce allocated economic development funds approved by the Salt Lake County Council.

Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce President, Eunice Jones, and President-elect, Ze Min Xiao, were presented a check for $3,187.50 by County Councilman David Wilde during Access Asia.  The networking event, co-organized by Christopher Tong, director of the Center for China-American Business Studies at Westminster College, was held, October 5, in the Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory.  “Part of our challenge is exposure for the Center and to give Westminster College students exposure to the business world,” Tong said, “That is why we helped to organize and co-sponsor this event.  We are looking for more opportunities like this in the future.”

Michael W. Starkweather, President of internationally focused Advantia Law Group, also presented Jones and Xiao with a check for $3,000.  “The main vision for Advantia is to help our Clients succeed in the international marketplace,” Starkweather said of the recently formed firm that has offices in Sandy. Wilde told guests at Access Asia that while attending a Murray Chamber of Commerce meeting earlier this year, he was asked why Salt Lake Chamber only financially supported the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

That question lead to the county allocating $3,187.50 each to the Latin-American, Utah Black, Utah Hispanic, Utah Asian and Pacific Islander Chambers of Commerce.  The amount is up from $150 to $250 Salt Lake County has paid to the ethnic chambers in the form of membership dues.

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and the county council agreed to the funding “specifically to help the divers chambers with programs,” said Dale Carpenter, the county’s business and economic development director.  “The chambers are to preprograms that helped to further their overall goals.” Chambers in Murray, Draper, Holladay, Sandy, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Southwest Valley and West Jordan were also allocated $3,187.50.  Chamber West, Kearns, and unincorporated Salt Lake County on the Westside, Chamber East, Mill Creek, and unincorporated areas on the eastside and Magna, including unincorporated Magna Township, were awarded $6,187.50.  The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce was allocated $40,000, which is a $10,000 decrease from last year’s appropriation from the county.  In the past, county funds to the SLCC were used for Utah Women in Business Conference, Business to Business Expo and the Giants in Our City recognition program.