by Lecia Langston, Economist
What county in Utah is home to the largest animal sanctuary in the United States? It’s Kane County. The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is also the county’s largest employer. In many nonurban counties, the largest employer is typically the public school district.
Tourism-related jobs make up a larger-than-average share of Kane County’s employment base. Lake Powell and other recreation sites contribute to a leisure/hospitality sector which comprises almost 30 percent of total nonfarm jobs, compared to 10 percent statewide.
Like many other areas, Kane County participated in the recent speculation-driven construction boom. As this bubble market continues to deflate, residential construction and total employment expansion have both slowed dramatically.
The number of home permits issued in 2005 and 2006 in Kane County more than doubled the typical number of permits during the last decade and a half. However, in 2007, the number of permits approved dropped nearer historical averages.
For more information about Kane County, see: http://jobs.utah.gov/jsp/wi/utalmis/gotoCounties.do
