Public Policy
The Gardner Institute provides data-driven, context-specific insights about public policy in Utah. We prepare in-depth quantitative and qualitative studies on key Utah issues in partnership with private-sector stakeholders and state and local government. Our research provides vital information decision-makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Utah’s Coal Country
The Gardner Institute’s 40-year population and employment planning projections illustrate how scheduled power plant closures and declining coal production is likely to affect the region. This report can help to plan for the coming decades as economic circumstances change for Carbon and Emery counties.
Insight: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Addressing Utah’s Short Term Rental Market Growth
By: Jennifer Leaver Short term rentals, available on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, have drawn both positive and negative attention over the past few years. Initially, short term rentals were lauded as income-generators that allowed local residents to rent out their personal spaces and properties to visitors. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, short term rentals were perceived by travelers as “safer” accommodation alternatives to hotels. However, short term rentals have generated controversy as neighborhood disruptors and key contributors to local and employee housing shortages. […]
Insight: Are Utah’s Wages Pacing with High Inflation?
By Natalie Roney and Phil Dean The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions continue to reverberate throughout the Utah and U.S. economies. In particular, labor shortages and high inflation remain top of mind for many Utahns as a return to “normal” economic conditions remains elusive. This post explores aspects of real (inflation-adjusted) wage indicators. […]
Insight: Oral Health in Utah
By: Julia Martin “Good oral health is critical for children, as it can affect their overall health, social adjustment, appearance, school performance, and ability to thrive”[1] Oral health is an often overlooked and ignored health status in Utah. The state's most recent oral health campaign focused on Utah adolescents,[2] while this is a step in the right direction, there needs to be a bigger emphasis on childhood oral health. Unfortunately, the most recent data for childhood oral health is from the 2015-2016 Oral Health Status of Utah’s Children. According to this report, there is a “concerning level of oral disease[...]
Insight: Panic at the Pump
By: Thomas Holst Current motor gasoline prices have shocked Utah motorists. Utah motor gasoline prices jumped $1 per gallon to $4.35. The increase came after the United States and European countries banned Russian energy imports in response to the Ukraine invasion. […]
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report Fourth Quarter 2021
The continued record breaking pace of permitted construction activity reached new milestones in 2021. The rebound in commercial activity in 2021 put the year total on the second highest in terms of construction value. The residential market also reached into new territory.
Utah Economic Impacts from Utah Retirement Systems 2021 Pension Payments
This report examines the economic impacts of Utah Retirement Systems (URS) 2021 defined benefit pension payments made to Utah residents and compares these impacts with those estimated for 2015 and 2018.
Utah Travel and Tourism County Profiles, 2020
Utah Travel and Tourism County Profiles for 2020 give a detailed breakdown of key economic indicators related to tourism for each of Utah's 29 counties.
Salt Lake County’s Historic Apartment Boom: Past, Present, and Future Presentation
Salt Lake County’s housing shortage and high home prices have led to the “tightest” apartment market in the county’s history. In 2021, the vacancy rate dropped below 2%, and rental rates increased by double-digits. Builders and developers responded with a record number of rental units under construction and proposed.