Newsroom
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Nick Thiriot
Communications Director
nick.thiriot@utah.edu
801-587-3717
News Releases
Utah’s ski industry contributed $1.94 billion in nonresident visitor spending during the 2022/23 ski season
April 18, 2024 (Salt Lake City) — Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest (Park City). A new fact sheet from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows that Utah’s ski industry contributed $1.94 billion in nonresident visitor spending during the 2022/23 ski season, generating $197.9 million in state and local tax revenue. The industry directly supported 25,980 statewide jobs and experienced a record 7.1 million skier days during this same ski season. […]
Gardner Institute honors community leaders with “2024 Informed Decision Maker of the Year” Award
April 16, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values: responsibility to the community, integrity and relevance, accountability, collaboration, and a positive work environment. […]
Utah Consumer Sentiment Fell Slightly in March
Decrease marks the first instance where a Utah economic indicator performed worse than the nation April 5, 2024 (Salt Lake City) - Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased by 2.9% in March (from 80.3 in January to 78.0), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment increased by 3.1% among Americans as a whole during the same time (from 76.9 to 79.4). Both figures are within the margin of error of their respective surveys. This marks the first instance of a Utah economic indicator performing worse[...]
More than 4 in 10 Utah caregivers report financial and mental stress
Report details varying employment conditions and needs of Utah’s family caregivers April 4, 2024 (Salt Lake City) — Utah’s unpaid family caregivers are a heterogeneous group and provide care for friends and family members in various ways. Although many Utah caregivers balance the demands of work, family, and caregiving in ways they feel are acceptable, certain subsets of caregivers defined by age, gender, income, employment status, hours of caregiving, and living situation need more support. […]
Recent Media Mentions
Urban and rural Utah must work together to keep Utah’s economy rolling, experts say
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's economy remains strong, but intrinsically tied factors such as workforce shortages and housing affordability are looming challenges that require attention if the Beehive State wants to maintain its standing as the nation's best economy.
Utah’s record 2023 ski season generated over $1.9B in visitor spending, new analysis finds
SALT LAKE CITY — While this year's snow collection ended up being better than normal, it still pales in comparison to what happened a year ago, showcasing just how special the 2022-23 season was in Utah.
Silicon Slopes CEO worries Utah could turn out like California on housing
SALT LAKE CITY — The heart of Utah’s tech community is still far from the astronomical housing prices in Silicon Valley, but affordability is getting worse. Despite their nearly identical names, Clint Betts doesn’t want Silicon Slopes to become Silicon Valley in one way: housing costs. “I think that we need to avoid the pitfalls of Silicon Valley,” Betts, the CEO of Silicon Slopes, said, “in Silicon Valley, if you don’t work in tech, you’re priced out. You can’t afford to live there. We need to be doing everything in our power in the state of Utah to avoid that happening[...]
Gardner Institute honors community leaders with “Informed Decision Maker of the Year” Award
SALT LAKE CITY — Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values: responsibility to the community, integrity and relevance, accountability, collaboration, and a positive work environment.
Utah’s economy still bumping along but housing is ‘single greatest threat’
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah government and business leaders united at a Friday gathering to celebrate the state’s high-flying economy, including a plaudit earlier this week from The Wall Street Journal that named the Salt Lake metropolitan area the country’s top spot for jobs, but also cautioned that rising challenges must be addressed to keep the mojo rising.
What are the ‘big gears’ Utah must move for a 2034 Olympics?
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City was selected as preferred host in November, and with no serious contenders, SLC is close to formally locking down the 2034 Winter Games