By Ben Crabb, Chief Economist
Utah's economy has experienced an observable trend that has been occurring since early 2023: government job growth has been outpacing that of the private sector. High rates of growth in the public sector – which includes government employees in public administration roles as well as public education and hospitals – have helped keep Utah workers earning and spending as the broader labor market has slowed. While the contribution of the public sector to labor market performance has been beneficial, the private sector has typically been the bigger jobs-producing engine. What has been occurring in the past eighteen months that has allowed the public sector to outperform the private sector in job growth?
More...
Our veterans services team met at the Capitol in September for their annual training conference. The team participated in a tour of the Capitol building and learned valuable insights into the new federal policies being implemented for veterans, military members and spouses.
As part of the conference, we recognized staff who have provided superior service to Utah's veterans, military members and spouses. Brad Wright, a connections team member from our Provo office, received this year's highest honor, the Stars and Stripes award in addition to an Eagle award. Additional Eagle award recipients included Jamal Anati, Worley Pace, Mily Santos and Maren Stevens.
Stars & Stripes and Eagle award recipient: Brad Wright, Connections Team - Provo Office
Eagle award recipient: Jamal Anati, Connections Team - Metro Office
Eagle award recipient: Worley Pace, Workforce Development Specialist - Provo Office
Eagle award recipient: Mily Santos, Connections Team - South County Office
Eagle award recipient: Maren Stevens, Workforce Services Supervisor - Metro Office
SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 20, 2024) — Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for August 2024 increased an estimated 2.3% across the past 12 months, with the state’s economy adding a cumulative 40,300 jobs since August 2023. Utah’s current job count stands at 1,760,800.
August’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is estimated at 3.3%. Approximately 59,700 Utahns are unemployed. Utah’s July unemployment rate is unrevised at 3.2%. The August national unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%. More...