STATE OF UTAH
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SALT LAKE CITY
84114-0601

MICHAEL O. LEAVITT
GOVERNOR

OLENE S. WALKER
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Fellow Utahns:

I firmly believe that we are rapidly entering a new and exciting era in society - the Knowledge Age. We are already seeing massive changes in the nature of work and the way we communicate and interact with each other. This all is being driven by the increasing power and speed of computers and the quantum leap in value and usefulness that occurs when computers are networked together

Dealing with this enormous impact of technology, including encouraging all sectors of society to prepare for it, is a very important economic development issue for Utah. We want our businesses to be prosperous and successful in this global, high-tech world. We also want state government and education to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead. All this requires a tremendous amount of coordination, partnerships between the public and private sector, and collaboration among all sectors of our society.

SmartUTAH, a non-profit organization, was established to provide this coordinating function. Its charter is to act as a facilitator between the public and private sector in order to realize electronic commerce and electronic enterprise for all citizens of Utah.

I envision the day when people will register their cars, obtain a fishing license and do other business with the state from their office or home computer via the Internet. The ever expanding possibilities will soon enable students to earn a college degree at their own pace from the Western Governors' University where classes will be delivered using technology. I strongly believe that by working together, communities, business, government, education and technology providers can make this goal occur much faster and in a smoother way than it would otherwise happen.

Remember Novell founder Ray Noorda's comment on change: We can fight it and die; we can accept it and survive; or we can lead it and prosper.

In Utah, let us prosper.

Sincerely,

Michael O. Leavitt
Governor