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.
Insight: Measuring Economic Diversity: The Hachman Index, 2017
By: DJ Benway This week the Gardner Policy Institute released the first annual research brief, Measuring Economic Diversity: The Hachman Index, 2017. The Hachman Index is a measure of the economic diversity of a region based on how closely the composition of industries matches that of a larger and well-diversified reference region. The index was developed by Frank Hachman, economist and Associate Director of the forerunner to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute (the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research). The index has become nationally recognized as a measure of regional economic specialization or diversity. […]
Measuring Economic Diversity: The Hachman Index, 2017
The Hachman Index is a measure of economic diversity. Using indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) or employment, the index measures the mix of industries present in a particular region relative to a (well-diversified) reference region. Hachman Index scores are normalized from 0 to 100.
Insight: Geothermal Energy: Hot Rocks
By: Thomas Holst The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded a $140 million grant to the Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah for five years of R&D activity on two existing geothermal well sites near Milford in Beaver County. With this grant, Utah is poised to become the technology leader in geothermal energy derived from hot water and hot rock found a few miles beneath the Earth’s surface. […]
January 2019 Economic Summary
The Utah economy exceeded expectations in 2018, adding a total of 48,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.3% is on par with the state’s long-term average and is among the strongest in the nation. A tightening labor market (3.1 percent unemployment) applied upward pressure on personal income. Annual income per capita increased to $45,174, a 3.9 percent increase from last year.
2019 Economic Report to the Governor
The Economic Report to the Governor has been the preeminent source for data and commentary on Utah’s economy for over 30 years. The Utah Economic Council, convened by the David Eccles School of Business and Governor’s Office of Management and budget, publishes the report annually.
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Utah’s Future Health Care Needs
Utah is known as a low-cost, healthy state, but the factors that help us maintain our position as one of the healthiest states in the country are changing. Rising health care expenditures, a growing senior population, and a changing demographic profile will impact Utah's future health care needs. This report provides data and information on Utah’s changing demographic profile and evolving demands for health care.
December 2018 Economic Summary
The Utah economy exceeded expectations in 2018, adding a total of 48,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.3% is on par with the state’s long-term average and is among the strongest in the nation. A tightening labor market (3.1 percent unemployment) applied upward pressure on personal income. Annual income per capita increased to $45,174, a 3.9 percent increase from last year.
Video: Tax Modernization in Utah: Sales and Use Tax
Utahns share a common interest in a state and local tax system that provides for our needs, keeps the economy strong, and remains viable over the long term. This video presents economic and demographic realities impacting Utah’s current sales and use tax system.