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
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.
Ivory-Boyer Second Quarter Report 2017
Construction activity has had a strong start in 2017, with the mid-year numbers at the highest level in 10 years. The number of building permits issued for residential units through the first six months was 11,145, nearly 22 percent higher than 2016 and the highest mid-year level since 2007 (see Figure 1). Total construction valuation at $4.1 billion was also at the highest midyear level since 2007 and five percent above 2016 (see Figure 2).
“Informed Discussions” Podcast: Globalization
What has been the impact of globalization in Utah? Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute senior fellow James Wood concludes the impact of globalization has been widespread and nearly all positive. A big reason for Utah’s international success is that many of the products we manufacturer are largely immune to offshoring. Utah also has a great need for labor to support our growing economy. Immigrants, rather than displacing local workers, have been a welcome source of labor supply. Data on Utah’s foreign born, refugee resettlement, international travel, and international students also reinforce the positive economic impacts of the cross-border movement of [...]
Insight: Economic Impacts of the Military and Veterans
Utah’s Defense Sector: Economic Impacts of the Military and Veterans (PowerPoint) Utah’s Defense Sector: Economic Impacts of the Military and Veterans (PDF) The Utah Defense Alliance and the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs commissioned the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to assess the economic impacts of Utah’s defense industry. The Gardner Policy Institute analyzed the impacts of current operations of Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground, Tooele Army Depot, the Utah National Guard, reserves, recruiting, ROTC and expenditures on behalf of veterans. The Institute also examined Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs grants [...]
