Utah Economy
The Gardner 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.
Featured Research
November 2025 Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 3.2% in November, according to the Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey. This increase (from 73.4 in October to 75.8 in November) is within the survey’s margin of error
Contributions of College Sports in Utah
Division I collegiate athletics at Utah public universities confer substantial benefits to the community and their respective universities.
October 2025 Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey
Utah’s consumer sentiment dropped 8.4% in October, according to the Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey.1 This decrease (from 80.1 in September to 73.4 in October) is statistically significant.
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry, 2025
Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City). Ten of the state's resorts are less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Degrees of Opportunity: Aligning Education and Workforce for Utah’s Prosperity
Boosting educational attainment, reducing persistent gaps, and ensuring alignment with workforce demands can help expand opportunity and sustain Utah’s economic momentum.
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.
