Industry Studies
The Gardner Institute conducts economic impact studies to understand the effect of a firm, group of firms, or an entire industry on Utah’s economy. We estimate direct economic effects using employment, wages, and other data. We model indirect, induced, and dynamic economic impacts using statistical analysis and simulation software. The Gardner Institute also performs fiscal impact analyses to help policymakers and others understand the effect of a firm or an entire industry on state and local government finances.
Utah 2025 Peer Support Specialist Workforce Survey
Peer support specialists play a foundational role in Utah’s mental and behavioral health systems. Survey results suggest ways to address challenges related to retention, burnout, and turnover.
Public Policy Lessons From the Michael O. Leavitt Administration: Human Services
As Utah’s population grows and ages, human services require attention upstream and across sectors. Leaders can make sustainable investments in social capital and physical and mental health services.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Medicaid
Medicaid and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) fund health care services for about 353,000 Utahns with low income as of February 2025.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Defense in Utah
Approximately 55,000 defense employees work in Utah, consisting of federal defense civilian employees (over 19,000), military personnel (almost 16,000), and employees of private defense contractors (roughly 20,200).
Medicaid Funding 101
Medicaid funding and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) fund health care services for about 340,000 low-income Utahns (about 11% of Utah’s population). As a jointly funded state/federal program, funding shares vary by state.
The Economic Impacts of Utah’s Fintech Industry
Many factors, including strong economic multipliers, position Utah's fintech industry to grow and play a larger role in the state's economy.
Utah Social Indicators
Utah fares comparatively well on many social indicators. Selected measures come from five domains: economic, demographic, socioeconomic, health, and safety.
Utah’s Agriculture Economy
Agriculture’s contribution to Utah’s GDP in the first three quarters of 2024 came in at $2.0 billion, after facing a mixed year in 2023 with GDP declines to $1.3 billion by year-end.
Utah’s Military and Defense Industry: An Economic Impact Study
Utah's defense industry made substantial contributions to the state's diverse economy in 2023, with total economic impacts estimated at 173,000 jobs and $22.2 billion in GDP.
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.