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.
Industry Snapshot: An Economic Summary of Utah’s Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Industry, 2022
Utah's arts, culture, and entertainment industry (cultural industry) is comprised of a variety of industries, including jobs in the area of design, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, live events, museums, and traditional arts. In 2020, Utah’s cultural industry generated $9.1 billion in direct sales, which spurred an additional $8.7 billion in indirect and induced effects, for a total of $17.8 billion in total sales—or 9.0% of Utah’s 2020 GDP.
February 2022 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose by 1.9 points from January to February, increasing to 78.8, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Sentiment Survey. While the overall outlook increased, certain groups reported mixed views.
Renewable Natural Gas: A Sustainable Approach to the Energy Transition
Renewable natural gas offers a new and promising energy source that will help decarbonize a portion of Utah’s energy mix.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 3rd Quarter 2021
Construction activity continued its record-breaking momentum into the third quarter of 2021. While concerns over inflation and monetary policy bring a level of uncertainty into the real estate world, Utah’s construction activity continued at a record pace.
2022 Economic Report to the Governor (Highlights)
Utah bounced back in 2021 from the pandemic recession shock. The state added a record-breaking 72,500 jobs over the year, recovering the 20,900 jobs lost in 2020 and gaining an additional 51,600 new jobs.
2022 Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit Presentation
The Salt Lake Chamber and Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute's Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit is the state's premier economic forecasting and public policy event that is attended by policy and academic thought leaders from across the state.
Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2022
Utah Informed is a collection of tables, charts, ideas, and schematics to prompt consideration of a compelling trend, spur an innovative idea, or inspire an aspirational thought. Decision makers are advantaged when they understand the past 20 years as they plan for the next 20 years.
2022 Economic Report to the Governor
The 2022 Economic Report to the Governor is the 34th publication in this series. Through the last three decades, the Economic Report to the Governor has served as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy. It includes a national and state economic overview, a demographic overview of the state, a summary of state government economic development activities, an analysis of economic activity based on the standard indicators, and a detailed review of industries and issues of particular interest.
January 2022 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose by 1.5 points from December to January, increasing to 76.9, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Sentiment Survey. This slight increase is coming from Utahns' responses in January of feeling better off financially compared to a year ago and improvements on long-term outlooks.