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.
Featured Research
The Future is Watching: Understanding Utah’s Early Literacy Landscape
Nearly half of Utah’s current young students do not read at grade level. Research shows that this can be improved with evidence-based instruction and coordinated support.
A Profile of Affordable Housing Programs and Funding in Utah, FY 2022
Nearly 30 programs provided hundreds of millions of dollars in housing assistance to Utah homeowners and renters in FY 2022.
A Portrait of Agriculture in Utah
Utah’s 17,386 farm operations, covering nearly one-fifth of all land statewide, sold a variety of products totaling $2.3 billion in 2022.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Salt Lake County Demographics
Northwest Valley, home to 331,328 Utahns, includes five communities ranging in size from 36,000 residents in Kearns to nearly 140,000 in West Valley City. Between 2020 and 2024, populations grew in Magna and the west side of Salt Lake City but declined slightly in Kearns, Taylorsville, and West Valley City.
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry, 2025
Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City). Ten of the state's resorts are less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Degrees of Opportunity: Aligning Education and Workforce for Utah’s Prosperity
Boosting educational attainment, reducing persistent gaps, and ensuring alignment with workforce demands can help expand opportunity and sustain Utah’s economic momentum.
Educational Achievement and Workforce Development: A Review of Community-Based Approaches
Community-based partnerships engage parents and families and align schools, service providers, and communities around shared goals and outcomes; when designed and implemented effectively, they offer a promising way to improve education, health, and economic opportunity for Utah youth.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, October 2025 (Tri-fold Brochure)
Utah’s travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, fostering job creation, supporting local businesses, and generating tax revenue. The industry comprises private and public entities that promote leisure and business travel and provide tourism-related goods and services.
Access to Suicide Prevention Resources: Understanding Ways to Reach Utah’s Veterans
This research aims to understand how active service members and Veterans access suicide prevention resources in Utah. Expanding this understanding can help improve the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) suicide prevention reach and outreach strategies.
Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute: 2025 Report to the Community
Over the past decade, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has become Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. The 2025 Report to the Community commemorates "10 Years of Impact" and looks ahead to the priorities the Gardner Institute will inform.
