The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public policy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for policy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public policy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for policy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
Recent Research
Driving Towards an Electric Future: Utah’s Clean Transportation Workforce
Increased adoption of electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles is changing Utah’s transportation sector, requiring a growing workforce trained on clean vehicles.
Utah Innovation Ecosystems
Utah's higher education institutions, well-trained workforce, collaborative atmosphere, and culture of innovation contribute to the state's strong innovation ecosystems.
A Visual Guide to Tax Modernization in Utah Part Five: Business Taxes
Utahns share a common interest in a state and local tax system that provides for our needs, keeps the economy strong, and remains viable over the long term. This visual guide, the fifth in a series, illustrates key components of Utah’s business taxes.
November 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment significantly increased in November (by 9.1%, from 80.7 in October to 88.1 in November), according to the Gardner Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Tourism, Recreation, and Restaurant Taxes in Utah
Tourism in Utah generates significant tourism-specific and other taxes, but regional differences in local revenues and tourism impacts can pose challenges.
Recent Insights
Demographic Insight: Demographic Characteristics of Salt Lake City In-Migrants
In 2022, Salt Lake City attracted approximately 44,000 in-migrants. These new residents represent 21% of the city’s total population (204,653). This is much larger than the 3% statewide share of in-migrants.
Demographic Insight: Utah’s California In-Migrants
Utah’s largest source of domestic in-migrants come from California, surpassed only by international migrants. One of every five Utah in-migrants moved from California in the most recent data.
Policy Insight: Utah’s Diverse Energy Portfolio
Utah possesses diverse energy resources ranging from crude oil and natural gas in the Uinta and Paradox Basins to renewable energies such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass.
Health Insight: Medical Inflation – Where Are We Now?
Given concerns about overall economic inflation, it may be surprising to learn that medical inflation is slowing and is currently approaching some of the lowest levels in history.
Demographic Insight: New 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Released
The Census Bureau recently released the newest 5-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS).