Newsroom
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Nick Thiriot
Communications Director
nick.thiriot@utah.edu
801-587-3717
News Releases
Southern Utah University supported $298 million in GDP, $513 million in output in Utah’s Southwest Economic Region in 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 Brooke Heath, Southern Utah University, brookeheath1@suu.edu, 435-586-5400 June 25, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – Southern Utah University strengthens Utah and the Southwest Economic Region economies through high-quality education, institutional, student, and visitor spending, and broad societal benefits. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, commissioned by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), details SUU’s significant regional and statewide economic contribution, which includes supporting more than 5,000 jobs, $202 million in earnings, $298 million in gross Domestic Product (GDP), and $513 million in output [...]
Utah State University supported $1.4 billion in GDP, $2.2 billion in economic output in 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – Utah State University strengthens Utah’s economy throug high-quality education; research and innovation; institutional, student, and visitor spending; and broad societal benefits. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, commissioned by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), details USU’s significant statewide economic contribution, which includes supporting more than 17,000 jobs, $1.0 billion in earnings, $1.4 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and $2.2 billion in output (total sales) statewide in FY2023. […]
Utah Consumer Sentiment Increases Slightly in May
June 5, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 1.4% in May, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. This modest monthly change (from 80.0 in April to 81.1 in May) falls well within the survey’s margin of error. A similar survey conducted by the University of Michigan found no change in sentiment during May among Americans as a whole. […]
Students at Utah postsecondary institutions received 350,000 federal student aid awards totaling $1.6 billion in the 2022-23 school year
June 3, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – States and the federal government share a vital economic relationship. This data summary, the twelfth in a series on state and federal economic linkages from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, presents the Utah-federal government nexus for federal student aid in Utah. […]
Recent Media Mentions
USU supported $1.4 billion to the state economy in 2023, says new study
SALT LAKE CITY — New data shows how beneficial Utah State University is for the statewide economy the research estimates USU’s financial boost to the state at more than a billion dollars. The study, conducted by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, marks the institute’s first economic report card of eight of Utah’s public colleges and universities across the state.
Utah maintains top credit rating as Moody’s affirms Aaa status amid strong growth, innovation
SALT LAKE CITY — Moody’s Ratings has reaffirmed Utah’s Aaa credit rating, citing the state’s robust economic growth, strong fiscal governance, and low debt levels. The agency announced Monday that Utah’s financial outlook remains stable, with the highest rating assigned to the state’s general obligation bonds, as well as continued high marks on lease revenue, education, and healthcare-related bonds.
Salt Lake City’s growth has been mammoth. How long can that last?
SALT LAKE CITY — However, "mammoth" could be the best way to describe Salt Lake City's growth right now. The U.S. Census Bureau recently named it Utah's fastest-growing city of 2024, while the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute notes that it is home to about one out of every four jobs in the state.
More growth is coming with or without the 2034 Olympics. Organizers say the Games will only help Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s endeavor to host the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics has been met with unprecedented enthusiasm within the state. One poll put the event’s approval rate at 79%. Still, naysayers exist. And among their chief concerns is the population growth — and ensuing traffic, water and housing issues — the focus on the state is likely to incite.
‘We desperately need to do more’: Utah Gov. Cox convenes mayors to urge more action on housing
SALT LAKE CITY – In the spirit of “collaboration” rather than preemption a dynamic that for several years now has undergirded policy discussions over what should be done to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis Gov. Spencer Cox invited mayors from across the state to the Governor’s Mansion in Salt Lake City on Thursday to talk.
Utah’s got growing pains. A new state council is supposed to help
SALT LAKE CITY – As more people move to the Beehive state, Utah’s resources are being stretched. Gov. Spencer Cox hopes a new executive order will address some of those growing pains. Cox announced the creation of the Blueprint for Utah’s Infrastructure, Land, and Development Coordinating Council on May 28. BUILD will bring together 12 state agencies and give 10 other entities like universities and municipalities the opportunity to add a representative if they choose to participate.
