U.S. Senator John Curtis hosted a small business and innovation expo at Davis Technical College in Kaysville, Utah on May 13, bringing together entrepreneurs, manufacturers, educators, innovators, and community leaders from across the state and federal government. The event highlighted Utah’s leadership in entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, and technology innovation.
Curtis said the gathering was an opportunity to showcase local creativity and leadership. “Our event highlighted the creativity, determination, and forward-thinking leadership that continue to make Utah one of the most attractive states in the country to do business,” Curtis said following the event. “Our state’s economic success reflects its pioneer spirit: willingness to take risks and invest in our communities. By bringing together business leaders and federal agencies, we sparked new partnerships and meaningful conversations about the future of commerce in Utah.”
During his opening remarks at the expo, Curtis noted that small businesses make up 99 percent of all companies in Utah. He shared his own experience building Action Target—a company based in Utah—and spoke about both challenges faced by entrepreneurs as well as their contributions to economic growth. Curtis also addressed issues such as supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing capabilities, energy security needs for businesses today, emerging technologies’ impact on industry development amid competition from countries like China.
The senator discussed congressional efforts including reauthorization of programs like Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), which help small businesses develop new technologies for federal priorities such as defense or health care. He also mentioned bipartisan legislation—the RAMP for Innovators Act—that he introduced with Senator Chris Coons designed to help small businesses bridge gaps between research-driven innovation projects’ early stages toward commercialization; key provisions were included recently within broader legislation signed into law.
Speakers at the event included representatives from eight federal agencies such as NASA and Department of War alongside organizations like Silicon Slopes or World Trade Center Utah. According to the official website, Curtis has served two terms as mayor of Provo before representing Utah in Congress; he is recognized among effective Republican lawmakers nationally; he founded both Action Target company locally—as well as Conservative Climate Caucus—and raises six children with his wife Sue.
