Utah leaders and industry partners gathered for a roundtable discussion on the future of freight, infrastructure and supply chain coordination, highlighting Utah’s growing role as a strategic inland hub for commerce, manufacturing and multimodal transportation. The discussion brought together Gov. Spencer Cox, legislative leaders, transportation partners and private-sector stakeholders to talk about how Utah can continue strengthening its freight network and long-term economic competitiveness.
Throughout the discussion, speakers pointed to Utah’s geography, transportation assets and collaborative approach as key advantages. Gov. Cox said Utah is well positioned to respond to a changing global supply chain environment, noting, “Where the rest of the country and the world see challenges, we see opportunities.”
He also emphasized three priorities for the state:
- improving coastal connections
- expanding international air cargo
- strengthening freight capacity across Utah
The governor also announced the relaunch of the Freight Advisory Committee as a formal partnership between the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Inland Port Authority. He said Utah wants to compete by moving projects forward efficiently, adding, “We think the best incentive is speed.”
Speakers also reinforced the importance of a statewide approach to economic growth. Legislative leaders and industry representatives emphasized that rural Utah has an important role to play in accommodating growth, attracting investment and building long-term opportunity beyond the Wasatch Front.
UIPA leadership framed the conversation around several guiding principles: Utah must take ownership of its economic vision, every freight network can be improved, and strong partnerships with industry are essential to long-term success.
As UIPA Executive Director Ben Hart told attendees, “No one cares about Utah except for Utah.” He also stressed that the government cannot do the work alone and that lasting progress depends on close coordination with operators, businesses and transportation partners.
Transportation and industry partners pointed to the need for continued investment across road, rail and air cargo systems.
Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation, said, “At UDOT, we have a vision to keep Utah moving,” and noted that the amount of freight moving through Utah is “truly remarkable.”
Private-sector representatives also discussed the importance of building a more connected, balanced freight system.
Brandy Christian, CEO of Patriot Rail, said Utah’s long-term success depends on infrastructure and trade balance, adding, “To be successful, it’s infrastructure, and that means having rail, truck, air, you have to have it all.”
The conversation also highlighted the role of air cargo and the need to keep building capacity as freight patterns evolve.
Delta Cargo’s Sebastian Kunze said, “Cargo will always find its way, but traffic flows will change,” underscoring the need for flexible, reliable infrastructure that can adapt to changing conditions.
The roundtable reinforced a consistent theme: Utah’s long-term success will depend on strong public-private collaboration, continued infrastructure investment and a shared commitment to building a statewide freight network that supports both urban and rural communities. With continued coordination and a focus on speed, connectivity and opportunity, Utah is positioned to play an even larger role in the movement of goods across the West and the nation.
Author: Kaitlin Felsted
Published: 04/14/26