Recent Research
Click on the links below to view the most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
Utah’s Military and Defense Industry: An Economic Impact Study (Fact Sheet)
Utah’s military and defense industry (defense industry) generates substantial impacts in the state’s diverse economy, directly and indirectly supporting over 173,000 jobs and an estimated $22.2 billion in GDP in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.
Driving Towards an Electric Future: Utah’s Clean Transportation Workforce
Increased adoption of electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles is changing Utah’s transportation sector, requiring a growing workforce trained on clean vehicles.
Utah Innovation Ecosystems
Utah's higher education institutions, well-trained workforce, collaborative atmosphere, and culture of innovation contribute to the state's strong innovation ecosystems.
A Visual Guide to Tax Modernization in Utah Part Five: Business Taxes
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 visual guide, the fifth in a series, illustrates key components of Utah’s business taxes.
November 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment significantly increased in November (by 9.1%, from 80.7 in October to 88.1 in November), according to the Gardner Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Tourism, Recreation, and Restaurant Taxes in Utah
Tourism in Utah generates significant tourism-specific and other taxes, but regional differences in local revenues and tourism impacts can pose challenges.
October 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment increased by 3.6% in October 2024 (from 77.9 in September to 80.7 in October), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Fact Sheet: 2020 Census Urban Areas in Utah
Data from the 2020 census showed that nearly 9 out of 10 Utahns lived in Census Bureau Urban Areas, regions that account for around 1% of the land area in the state.
Fiscal Contrast: An Analysis of State and Federal Fiscal Processes
States and the federal government both employ sovereign fiscal powers to tax, spend, and borrow, although their fiscal approaches differ starkly.
Salt Lake County’s Life Sciences and Health Care Innovation Industry
Life sciences and health care innovation plays a vital role in Salt Lake County’s economy, supporting employment, generating earnings, and boosting GDP.
