Latest Research
Fact Sheet: An Analysis of Labor Supply and Demand in Utah
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development reports that workforce is the number one concern they hear from businesses. Firms talk of difficulty finding an adequate supply of skilled labor. Private-sector employment has grown 3.5 percent annually since 2010. Unemployment rates are at historical lows: 2.8 percent in August 2019. However, wage growth has been sluggish at best, averaging just 1.1 percentage points above inflation since 2010. A tight labor market should lead to faster wage growth as employers compete for the available supply.
Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute 500-Day Strategic Plan, September 2019
This 500-Day Plan serves as a tool to guide our work in helping people make informed decisions. The plan includes our vision, mission, values, strategic objectives, action steps, and key performance indicators to guide the daily and long-term direction of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. We view this strategic plan as a rolling 500-day plan with a 5,000-day horizon. We present the plan in outline format to make each of the elements readily available.
August 2019 Economic Summary
Outlook 2019—The consensus forecast predicts moderating–but still healthy–job and wage growth, and low unemployment. Internal risks to the Utah economy include the supply of workers, increasing interest rates, housing affordability, and air quality. The nation is entering a late business cycle which may also present challenges. Demographic advantages, an appealing business climate, and increasing labor force participation will continue to be an advantage for the economy. All going well, Utah will once again be one of the top-performing economies in the nation in 2019.
Utah’s Mental Health System
Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis. Increasing suicide rates, untreated anxiety and depression among our youth, traumatic brain injuries, and serious mental illness are all signs of the need for accessible, affordable, and comprehensive mental health services. Utah is not exempt from this crisis. Utah has a high rate of adults with mental illness, but a shortage of mental health providers.
Preschool Development Grant, Ages Birth–Five Qualitative Deliberative Group Data to Inform State Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Services
In May and June of 2019, deliberative groups of parents and early childhood service providers in communities throughout Utah identified challenges and barriers to learning about and accessing early childhood services. Some difficulties, such as a lack of knowledge about the existence of programs, eligibility requirements, and childhood development markers, were noted in all communities. Barriers also varied by community, such as the need for language translation to understand application forms and websites, or a sizable portion of the community living without cars or driver’s licenses. Participants offered ideas to raise awareness about programs, and suggested website names and search[...]
2019 Rural Health Convening (Intermountain Healthcare Convening Proceedings Report)
On June 24–25, 2019, Intermountain Healthcare hosted the 2019 Rural Health Convening in Midway, Utah. The convening brought together leaders from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and rural healthcare providers from the Mountain West.
Utah’s Tech Economy Volume One: Economic Impacts, Industry Trends, Occupations, and Workers
Utah’s tech industry made significant contributions to the state economy in 2018, supporting one in seven Utah jobs and one-sixth of worker earnings in the state. The economic activity generated over $2.5 billion in tax revenue to help fund schools and other government services. […]
July 2019 Economic Summary
The consensus forecast predicts moderating–but still healthy–job and wage growth, and low unemployment. Internal risks to the Utah economy include the supply of workers, increasing interest rates, housing affordability, and air quality. The nation is entering a late business cycle which may also present challenges. Demographic advantages, an appealing business climate, and increasing labor force participation will continue to be an advantage for the economy. All going well, Utah will once again be one of the top performing economies in the nation in 2019.
Race/Ethnicity in the Wasatch Front Labor Force: An Equal Employment Opportunity Analysis
Utah’s racial and ethnic diversity continues to increase, along with the rest of the nation. Currently, 1 in 5 Utahns identify as racial minorities, increasing 3.5 percentage points from 2016. However, state level analysis can mask county and region-level variation. For example, in the Wasatch Front region, minority identification is closer to 1 in 4 at 23 percent, and Salt Lake County is 29 percent minority. This information is useful, but how do these trends influence the region’s labor force? Does the Wasatch Front labor force look the same as their total population? How are occupations distributed among different races[...]