SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Chamber, in partnership with the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has released the January 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Economic Dashboard to inform business leaders’ understanding of Utah’s economy. This tool prioritizes key data on the state’s economic outlook and actionable context for decision-makers.
“Utah’s economy is showing real resilience heading into the new year. Strong job growth in information, construction, financial services, and education and health services tells us the industries driving our future are expanding,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber. “These are the kinds of trends that reinforce why businesses choose Utah and why we must continue investing in the policies that keep our economy competitive.”
Three essential insights from the January 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Dashboard include:
- Growth remains strong in key service-oriented industries. Utah’s information industry posted a 6.3% year-over increase in jobs as of December 2025. Financial services and education and health services each grew 2.9%.
- Less severe winter slowdown in residential construction value than in past years. Utah’s residential construction value dipped in November, following seasonal declines, but rose in December. End-of-2025 construction values appear elevated compared to late 2024.
- Utah bankruptcy filings decreased at year-end. The state recorded 623 filings in November and 613 in December. Both figures fall below the 700-plus monthly filings observed across the preceding six months, signaling a reduction in severe financial distress among households and businesses.
The Dashboard is updated monthly, providing essential insights, tracking timely and leading measures and sharing pertinent indicators. This provides leaders with critical and timely information to make informed decisions.
“Utah’s economic outlook remains positive, but Utah is not immune to the softening felt nationally. Four major industries contracted over the past year – natural resources, manufacturing, mining, trade/transportation/utilities and other services,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. “Fortunately, the information sector has rebounded with strong year-over growth. The rise in construction values suggests a slightly healthier housing market, while the decline in bankruptcy rates indicates a reduction in financial distress for households and businesses alike. These indicators set the stage for Utah’s continued economic resilience as we move into 2026.”
To view the dashboard, click here.
About the Utah Chamber
The Utah Chamber is a statewide chamber of commerce, representing the diverse voices of the state’s 80,000-plus employers and employees. The Chamber unites the voices of Utah businesses, local chambers and industry associations to build a stronger business environment, increase healthy job creation and support prosperous communities across the state.
About the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders in the Utah economy, and specialists in public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, please visit gardner.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.