The first workshop of the Western Governors’ Association’s Building Resilient and Affordable New Developments in the West (BRAND West) initiative will be held at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on December 17 and 18. Following years of underbuilding, underinvestment, and extraordinary growth – driven by a complex mix of factors – the West is facing severe housing shortages. The workshop, hosted by Governor Spencer Cox, will examine ways to build more homes by expanding housing options, encouraging innovative funding mechanisms, leveraging infrastructure investments, increasing regional coordination, and planning vibrant, livable communities.
On the first day, programming will explore mixed-use development strategies. Attendees will tour Daybreak (pictured), a master-planned community in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. The second day will feature a conversation with Governor Cox and panels on infrastructure, financing, state and local coordination, and adaptive reuse.
View the agenda below and register here to join in the conversation.
BRAND West is the 2025 WGA Chair initiative of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The initiative focuses on increasing access to housing in western states, looking specifically at how to address housing availability and affordability and promote smart and sustainable development in communities throughout the West.
Take the BRAND West initiative survey to assist WGA in executing the initiative by identifying: (1) the current state of the housing market in the West; (2) priority issues for gubernatorial leadership to consider in supporting increased access to housing; (3) best practices for planning and developing housing; (4) federal policy issues for potential WGA advocacy; and (5) individuals or organizations interested in participating in the initiative.
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11:15 am University of Utah |
Lunch |
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11:45 am |
Welcome and Introductions Jack Waldorf, WGA Executive Director
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12:00 pm
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Panel 1: Creating Vibrant Communities As the West rapidly evolves, thoughtful planning is increasingly important for creating vibrant, livable communities. This panel will examine how mixed-use development – the integration of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces – can address pressing housing needs, enhance local economies, and support smart and sustainable growth. |
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1:00 pm |
Transfer to Daybreak |
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2:00 pm
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Tour of Daybreak Daybreak, a 4,100-acre master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, is a model for effectively managing regional growth and meeting community housing demands through mixed-use development and creative placemaking. Attendees will tour the community and participate in a discussion about the visit. |
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4:30 pm |
Transfer to the University of Utah and reception (location TBD) |
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5:30 – 7:00 pm
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Reception
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7:45 am University of Utah |
Breakfast |
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8:10 am |
Welcome and Day One Recap Jack Waldorf, WGA Executive Director
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8:15 am
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Panel 2: Planning Infrastructure Investments Scarce resources and critical infrastructure constraints often hinder housing development. This session will explore these barriers and analyze opportunities to leverage historic federal infrastructure investments to spur new housing projects. |
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9:15 am |
Panel 3: Unlocking Capital for Housing Development With communities across the West grappling with housing shortages following decades of underbuilding and underinvestment, expanding housing supply has never been more essential. This panel will examine innovative financing strategies and funding mechanisms designed to accelerate housing development and respond to growing demands. |
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10:15 am |
Break |
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10:30 am |
Governor’s Conversation: Housing in Utah States are highly invested in improving access to attainable housing and promoting smart and sustainable development policies. The Honorable Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah, will provide remarks and engage in a conversation about Utah’s approach to solving the housing crisis, lessons learned from their efforts, and the arsenal of tools available to bolster housing supply. |
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11:00 am |
Panel 4: Coordinating State and Local Housing Priorities Local governments have jurisdiction over many policies and programs that affect housing, making them key partners as states work to achieve housing goals. This panel will highlight how state and local governments can successfully align priorities and accomplish shared objectives related to housing. |
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12:00 pm |
Panel 5: Transforming Buildings Through Adaptive Reuse Amid urgent needs for housing and all-time-high office vacancy rates, policymakers are considering ways to convert underused commercial spaces to residential units and revitalize downtowns. During this conversation, panelists will focus on the role of adaptive reuse in broader efforts to increase housing options and delve into the economic and logistical feasibility of residential conversions. |
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1:00 pm |
Recap and Adjourn |
