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.
Highlighted Research
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.
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.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Health Insurance Marketplace
The ACA, signed into law in 2010, established the framework for health insurance marketplaces nationwide. The Marketplace and the accompanying tax credits help make health insurance coverage affordable for Utahns who do not have access to health insurance coverage through work or public health care coverage programs. These include small business owners, their employees, and self-employed workers.
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.
