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
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 would be approximately 3 percent higher than in 2016.
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%.
November 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%.
Video: Utah’s Long-Term Demographic and Economic Projections
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently co-hosted the Utah Legislature at a policy summit focused on Utah’s future. The summit opened with this video, which highlights growth and change in Utah. The video presents the findings of the state’s long-term demographic and economic projections such as growth, urbanization, declining fertility, sustained in-migration and an aging population.
October 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%.
September 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%.
Ivory-Boyer Third Quarter Report 2017
Utah’s construction industry is on pace for a very good year. The total value of construction for the first three quarters of the year rose to $6.3 billion, a nine percent increase over 2016. Through the third quarter the number of permits issued for residential dwelling units was 17,681, a 26 percent increase over 2016 and the highest level since 2007.
August Economic Summary
Utah’s nonagricultural employment increased an estimated 2.5%, or 36,300 jobs, between July 2016 and July 2017. Nationally, employment increased 1.5%, or 2.2 million jobs, between July 2016 and July 2017. Unemployment—Utah’s unemployment rate was 3.5% in July 2017, slightly higher than the July 2016 rate of 3.4%. The national unemployment rate was 4.3% in July 2017, lower than the July 2016 rate of 4.9%.
What Would a Marshall Plan for Rural Revitalization Look Like?
"Rural Utah Economic Investment" Remarks Utah Rural Summit Presentation (PowerPoint) Utah Rural Summit Presentation (PDF) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Prosperity) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Building) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Reap What We Grow) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Key) On August 3rd, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute director Natalie Gochnour presented at the Utah Rural Summit in Cedar City, Utah. The topic: Rural Utah revitalization and a new economic path forward. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has called the economic disparity between parts of rural Utah and urban Utah as “A tale of two [...]
July 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 percent was above the state’s long-term average and among the strongest in the nation. Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth in 2016, 6.8 percent.
