Utah Economy
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute provides analysis and data-driven, context-specific insights about the Utah economy. We prepare in-depth studies on key Utah issues in partnership with stakeholders in the private sector and in state and local government. Our research provides vital information that decision-makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
El Nuevo Utah: Guardianes de la Llama (The New Utah Summary Spanish Translation)
En los albores del siglo XXI, los líderes de Utah colocaron una cápsula del tiempo bajo la escalinata del capitolio del estado de Utah. El repositorio histórico incluía un libro encuadernado en cuero con cartas para los futuros 124 dirigentes de los poderes ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial. La carta de presentación del exgobernador Mike Leavitt conmemoró la solemne responsabilidad de los líderes de Utah de actuar como «guardianes de la llama» (keepers of the flame). La llama simboliza la grandeza de Utah y la luz que comparte con el mundo.
El Nuevo Utah: Guardianes de la Llama (The New Utah Spanish Translation)
En los albores del siglo XXI, los líderes de Utah colocaron una cápsula del tiempo bajo la escalinata del capitolio del estado de Utah. El repositorio histórico incluía un libro encuadernado en cuero con cartas para los futuros 124 dirigentes de los poderes ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial. La carta de presentación del exgobernador Mike Leavitt conmemoró la solemne responsabilidad de los líderes de Utah de actuar como «guardianes de la llama» (keepers of the flame). La llama simboliza la grandeza de Utah y la luz que comparte con el mundo.
October 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment fell 9.4% in October (from 76.3 in September to 69.1), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment fell 6.0% among Americans as a whole during the same time. Utah Consumers appear to be uncertain about economic conditions. Relatively high interest rates and unaffordable housing have to be balanced with a labor market that remains strong.
Insight: Concerns About Affordability Continue to Frame Utah’s Changing Health Care Coverage Landscape
By: Melanie Beagley Sep 27, 2023 – The last decade saw significant changes to the health care coverage landscape in Utah and across the U.S. The passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ushered in efforts to expand health care coverage to population groups historically uninsured or underinsured, including households living near or below the federal poverty level and young adults. It also supported certain employers in providing health care coverage to their employees[i],[ii] and prohibited health plans from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions.[iii] […]
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, September 2023 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
Visitors spent a record $11.98 billion in Utah’s economy in 2022, generating 152,800 total jobs and a record $2.12 billion in total state and local tax revenue. Utah ski resort visitation (7.1 million skier days) was at an all-time high during the 2022-2023 season, up 22% from the previous season.
State of the State’s Housing Market, 2022-2024
The pandemic years created unmatched volatility in Utah’s housing market. The volatility in these past two years surpassed 50 years of housing history. Building permits for residential units increased by 26% in 2021, only to fall by 26% in 2022. These COVID-19 pandemic years now join the Great Recession as one of those unique moments in Utah's housing market. The Great Recession produced 16 consecutive quarters of declining housing prices, while the pandemic produced the shortest and steepest homebuilding expansion and contraction on record.
Utah Economic Council Forecast, September 2023
The Utah Economic Council, convened by the David Eccles School of Business and Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, publishes regular economic forecasts related to the Utah and U.S. economies. This includes potential risks to both the state and national economies that the council assesses and weighs.
September 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 4.8% in September (from 71.5 in August to 76.3), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment slightly fell among Americans as a whole during the same time
Medicaid: What is FMAP and Why Does It Matter?
The Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) is the share of Medicaid costs funded by the federal government.
Utah’s Consumer Sentiment Ticks up Slightly in July
August 11, 2023 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment edged up in July to its highest level since February 2022 (from 76.3 in June to 77.3 in July), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found a larger increase among Americans as a whole (from 64.4 in June to 71.6 in July). […]