Recent Research
Click on the links below to view the most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, October 2025 (Tri-fold Brochure)
Utah’s travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, fostering job creation, supporting local businesses, and generating tax revenue. The industry comprises private and public entities that promote leisure and business travel and provide tourism-related goods and services.
Access to Suicide Prevention Resources: Understanding Ways to Reach Utah’s Veterans
This research aims to understand how active service members and Veterans access suicide prevention resources in Utah. Expanding this understanding can help improve the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) suicide prevention reach and outreach strategies.
September 2025 Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 0.3% in September, according to the Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey. This increase (from 79.9 in August to 80.1 in September) is within the survey’s margin of error. A similar survey conducted by the University of Michigan reports sentiment fell 5.3% during September among Americans as a whole.
Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute: 2025 Report to the Community
Over the past decade, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has become Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. The 2025 Report to the Community commemorates "10 Years of Impact" and looks ahead to the priorities the Gardner Institute will inform.
Keepers of the Flame: Utah’s Olympic-Sized Opportunity
Few single events in Utah history compare in reach and significance to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. How can Utah leverage the Olympics to sustain the state’s nation-leading prosperity in the face of rapid change and mounting challenges?
Utah’s Community Needs
Utah's economic and demographic fundamentals point to continued challenges with affordable housing, general housing affordability, and other community needs for low- and moderate-income individuals. This report summarizes Utah’s community needs, including those of low- and moderate-income individuals, small businesses, and the general community.
Utah Economic Council Forecast, September 2025
The Utah Economic Council, a collaborative endeavor of the David Eccles School of Business and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, prepares its forecast quarterly for selected economic and business indicators.
Maternal Health in Utah: Risk Factors, Workforce Gaps, and Access to Care
Some Utahns face compounding challenges to accessing maternal health care, including long travel distances, limited provider availability, and higher prevalence of risk factors.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Salt Lake County
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute releases “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to inform local decision-makers and community partners. This first installment provides a geographic overview of the region.
