Utah's defense industry directly and indirectly supported over 109,000 jobs and $9.2 billion in economic activity in 2015

SALT LAKE CITY, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Utah's defense industry directly and indirectly supported over 109,000 jobs and $9.2 billion in economic activity in the state during 2015, according to new research released by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. That year, federal defense spending was responsible for 5.8 percent of Utah's jobs, 7.1 percent of its earnings and 6.2 percent of its GDP.

The Utah Defense Alliance and the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs commissioned the Gardner Policy Institute to assess the economic impacts of Utah's defense industry. The Gardner Policy Institute analyzed the impacts of current operations of Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground, Tooele Army Depot, the Utah National Guard, reserves, recruiting, ROTC and expenditures on behalf of veterans. It also examined Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs grants and contract expenditures that were not associated with one of the aforementioned installations.

"Utah's defense industry continues to be an important contributor to the state economy with an impact in every county of the state," said Juliette Tennert, director of economic and public policy research at the Gardner Policy Institute. "With the Trump Administration's recent proposals to increase defense spending, this could mean additional money and jobs for Utahns."

In addition, the Gardner Policy Institute modeled the long-run economic and demographic impacts on the state and local economies in the event of the closure of Hill Air Force Base, for which there are currently no known plans. The base accounts for 43 to 50 percent of the total defense industry economic impact in the state, supporting over 47,000 jobs and $4.5 billion in GDP. A hypothetical closure of Hill Air Force Base by 2022 would cost the state an estimated 35,184 jobs, $2.9 billion in earnings and $3.8 billion in GDP.

Veterans in Utah also generated significant economic impact, supporting over 24,000 jobs and $1.9 billion in GDP for Utah in 2015. Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense spending for Utah veterans was $1.8 billion in 2015.

The full report is available here. The reference year of 2015 is the most recent year for all of the available data.

About the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah enhances Utah's economy by placing data-driven research into the hands of decision makers. Housed within the David Eccles School of Business, its mission is to develop and share economic, demographic and public policy data and research that help community leaders make informed decisions. Located at the newly restored Thomas S. Monson Center on South Temple Street, the Gardner Policy Institute serves as a vital gathering place and center for independent economic, demographic and public policy thought leadership. Learn more at gardner.utah.edu or by calling 801-587-3717.

About the David Eccles School of Business

Founded in 1917 and educating more than 4,500 students annually, the David Eccles School of Business offers eight undergraduate majors, four MBAs, five other graduate programs, a Ph.D. program and executive education curricula. The Eccles School is also home to eight institutes and centers, including the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, which deliver academic research and support an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. It is consistently one of the top schools in the nation for startup businesses based on university research. Experiential learning is central to the Eccles experience. For more information, visit Eccles.Utah.edu or call 801-581-7676.

Contacts:    Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 801-587-3717, [email protected]

SOURCE David Eccles School of Business