The Salt Lake County Council has capped the number of fast-cash outlets that can do business within unincorporated communities - effectively stunting the growth of check stores in the county’s six townships. The Utah Consumer Lending Association, a trade group that represents the fast-cash industry, has stridently opposed government meddling with the market, saying that it stifles competition and, ultimately, hurts the consumer. The county’s payday-lending provisions come as Salt Lake City resurrects its efforts to bridle fast-cash businesses - which, until recently, remained stalled within the city’s sometimes-chaotic planning division. Eight Salt Lake Valley cities - and now the county - have limited the number of check-cashing stores. read more