alling it a unique solution to a unique challenge, Governor Gary Herbert introduced a new business initiative to benefit education during a visit to Foxboro Elementary Tuesday.

“We’re trying to raise the bar in Utah,” he said to an audience of second graders, school officials and the media. “It’s a great program we’re introducing today to help you and many people around the state.”

The program, known as Prosperity 2020 Business Promise, seeks to involve 20,200 volunteers in schools by the year 2020.

It is being established in support of the Prosperity 2020 goal that calls for two-thirds of Utah’s adults to have a postsecondary degree or a professional certificate by the year 2020. The new initiative sets up a web portal to connect businesses with schools so they can determine needs and provide help.

“Businesses are the end user of the labor force,” said Herbert after making the formal announcement. “They hire people, and it is those who have the skills that get hired. It’s important that we have a plan.”

Herbert said Utah’s unique challenges include large families and a significant amount of public land that doesn’t generate money for the state.

The business initiative would provide help to students at no extra expense to the state.

For more information check out the August 2 edition of Davis Clipper.