The Gardner Policy Institute provides data-driven, context-specific insights about Utah’s economy. We prepare in-depth studies on key Utah issues in partnership with stakeholders in the private sector and state and local government. The institute employs a diverse group of economists and analysts with specialties that include healthcare, energy and natural resources, tourism, and real estate and construction. Our research provides vital information decision makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
Housing, Construction, & Real Estate
Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2018
The third edition of Utah Informed shows the fruits of Utahns' hard work and the challenges that remain. The tables, charts, ideas, and schematics force the viewer to consider a compelling trend, an innovative idea or an aspirational thought. We call it “visual intellection” because the information both inspires and causes discomfort. We want to make your think. This year, many businesses and individuals [...]
Utah: Scrabbling for Innovation absent a Crisis
The 2017 Utah legislative session, an intensely busy 45 days, focused heavily on tax reform, funding of public schools, and addressing the state’s homeless crisis. At the conclusion of the session, the FY18 budget totaled $16.2 billion, a seven percent increase over the FY17 budget. Public schools received a large increase in funding—in total a seven percent increase to address student growth and other [...]
Ivory-Boyer Fourth Quarter Report 2017
The value for all types of permit authorized construction totaled $8.21 billion, a 3.9 percent decrease from 2016 (inflation adjusted dollars) (see Figure 1). The decline in total construction value can be attributed to Salt Lake City issuing a permit for $566 million in 2016 for the redevelopment of the Salt Lake City International Airport. Without this permit, the total construction value for 2017 [...]
December Economic Summary
The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2016, contributing a total of 49,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.6% was above the state’s long-term average and among the strongest in the nation. In 2016, Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth with 6.8%.
Utah County Small Area Estimates, 2010-2016
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute prepares small area population estimates to support informed decision making in Utah. This brief presents annual small area housing and population estimates for Utah County from 2010 to 2016. We produced these results using the housing unit method, one of the most widely used estimation methods for detailed geographic levels. This brief shares key information about this set [...]
Salt Lake County Small Area Estimates, 2010-2016
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute prepares small area population estimates to support informed decision making in Utah. This brief presents annual small area housing and population estimates for Salt Lake County from 2010 to 2016. We produced these results using the housing unit method, one of the most widely used estimation methods for detailed geographic levels. This brief shares key information about this [...]
