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.
Ivory-Boyer First Quarter Report 2017
The value of all permit authorized construction in Utah during the first quarter of 2017 was $1.92 billion, a three percent decrease from the first quarter of 2016. While a relatively minor decrease, it is the first decline in first quarter total construction value since 2012. The slowdown in overall construction was attributable to the 30 percent decline in nonresidential construction value.
Insight: 2017 Economic Report to the Governor
By: Juliette Tennert Today, the Utah Economic Council released the 29th edition of the annual Economic Report to the Governor. The report is a collaborative endeavor between the Council, the David Eccles School of Business, and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. […]
Insight: Comparing the economies of Utah and Idaho
By: Natalie Gochnour Originally published in Utah Business I love the state of Idaho. I love the spectacular mountains, the rivers and the farmlands. I enjoy visiting the small towns and view Boise as an up-and-coming metropolitan area with an urban vibe. I love Sun Valley in the winter or summer and always welcome the chance to take my family there for a getaway. Mostly, I appreciate the people of Idaho for their friendliness, hardiness and industrious spirit. We are fortunate in Utah to have such a wonderful neighbor to the north. I’ve watched with interest over the past few[...]
Insight: Does Utah Have a Housing Shortage?
By: James Wood Several housing market indicators suggest Utah may have a housing shortage: Home sales are hot. In the past two and a half years, the typical “for sale” home sold in 25 days. Prices of “for sale” homes continue to climb at a brisk pace. Home prices along the Wasatch Front counties are up nearly 25 percent in three years, pushed up by demand running ahead of supply. The number of new listing of “for sale” homes have been disappointing. Sharply rising prices generally bring more sellers into the market and boosts the number of listings but listings have[...]
Salt Lake City’s Rental Market: Past, Present, and Future
The development of rental housing in downtown Salt Lake City has always been prone to periods of intense activity followed by years of inactivity. A look back at apartment development in this area shows that prior to the early 20th century, housing in downtown was limited to detached single-family units. Tenement and row housing, common features in some downtown markets, were never part of the housing patterns of Salt Lake City.