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Utah outperforming the national economy

15 comments | Read story

Downside | 10:20 a.m. May 15, 2008

You still have to live in Utah!

Anonymous | 10:21 a.m. May 15, 2008

Terrific!
Everyone should come to Utah.
The sooner Salt Lake City resembles Los Angeles - the better.

Molly | 10:44 a.m. May 15, 2008

If this doesn't prove the church is true I don't know what would!

Comments continue below

This is GREAT news but... | 10:44 a.m. May 15, 2008

This is all great news but I want to encourage all to keep in mind... There will always be a number of people unemployed even in a state where the economy is performing well.

For those who are currently unemployed, it doesn't matter how well the economy is doing for the rest of us. Of course our economy being better than the national average should give them more hope of getting out of their current situation, but until they get out, they don't feel the benefit of being in a state that outperforms the national economy.

Just something to be sensative to if you have family friends or neighbors who are unemployed... even if our economy is better than average on paper, while they are in this situation, they don't feel the benefits of our good economy.

So what? | 10:55 a.m. May 15, 2008

Utah is closer than China. They both have cheap labor. In both, a few control the bulk of the wealth. Move to Utah and earn $2:15 waiting tables at Park City for wealthy people from outside Utah. They tip better.

Ummm.. | 11:02 a.m. May 15, 2008

I keep hearing that Utah is doing so great. Then there are stories of 200 people getting laid off because of a failing economy. People are also not getting bonuses at places because of failing economy. Maybe Utah is doing better than other places, but I think a lot of this is just a lie to keep the public from panicking.

Great News!.....Maybe | 11:25 a.m. May 15, 2008

What kind of jobs will these be? More call-center jobs at $12/hour is not what the Wasatch Front needs when the median price of a home is over 200k.

I think the state is ignoring one of the demographic shifts that is occurring in the state. It is losing the best and brightest of its young people. The outdoors and positive cultural factors no longer make up for the high cost of living, low wages and very poor public education.

My nephew attended kindergarten and first grade outside of Utah. He and his family moved back to Utah. He didn't learn anything new and was bored until the beginning of fourth grade. He and his family left the state again. My son just finished preschool outside of Utah. I would put what he has learned up against Utah kids leaving first grade.

I may not be able to drive to Moab in three hours, but my cost of living is much lower, my wages much higher and my kids are receiving a good education.

Good News does not sell well | 11:42 a.m. May 15, 2008

Utah is doing great. The local news do not always explain the USA and local economy are doing much different. Most of us are working here in Utah and doing just fine. Those who are looking for work have more oportunities and options to apply for work.

Oh good grief! | 12:24 p.m. May 15, 2008

To Molly: "If this doesn't prove the church is true I don't know what would!"

Give me a break! You don't know what you are talking about.

No matter where you live or how the economy is doing...a slight turn (as some see it) does not prove one way or the other your comments. I think everyone "knows" how to find out the truth of their religion.

So, when Utah takes a down hill turn, (as it has in the past) will this also prove that the Church continues to be true? I think so.

veedub | 2:33 p.m. May 15, 2008

Oh good grief!:

I do believe Molly (Mormon?) was being a bit sarcastic here.

Ever Wondery Why | 3:26 p.m. May 15, 2008

First Utah should fare well in this crunch and business are flocking to the State, why you ask! Cheap labor, that is it, Utah has the lowest paid workers and yet the hardest workers in the nation. Business take advantage of the work ethics from the LDS Religion, then they proceed to milk the worker for every dime. I recently moved out of state after living nearly my entier life in Utah, I now work doing the exact same thing I did in Utah only now I get paid three times what I made in Utah - ironic isn't it, hard times means more work for Utah. Even the Federal Goverment realizes that its booming economoy in Utah for any company willing to make the move, and don't forget your beloved govenor will give them tax incentives to make the move, after all they need all the money they can after paying such a terrible wage compared to any other place in the nation. Ask yourself why they are willing to move to Utah in an economy when most companies are downsizing or closing their doors.

Liar - Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. | 5:11 p.m. May 15, 2008

Huntsman is so far out of touch with Utah. We are bringing new jobs (wink, wink). We are not impacted by the global economy (wink, wink). The construction industry hasn't been decimated (wink, wink).

I spoke with one of his advisor's and he was unaware that the housing market was a problem. If you get all your money from Daddy then I guess the economy isn't a concern.

Don't forget we need to raise the gas tax (wink, wink). Because the idiots in the Utah legislature couldn't balance a budget or foresee that we couldn't afford to do all their pet projects.

As a politician he is paid to lie...to make us feel good about something that is so incredible wrong. I hope you can see it for the evil that it is.

Is it... | 6:53 p.m. May 15, 2008

that the Utah economy is performing well, or just that it's not performing as badly as most other states' and looks good by comparison?

Housing prices will probably fall less here than in many other places, because they didn't skyrocket as much as others.

Job losses will be less, because there aren't as many jobs, and they don't pay as well.

Tourism (especially foreign) will help buoy Utah because the dollar is so low that the US looks like a bargain - and we have a lot of places that tourists want to see.

I really find the newswriting in Utah to be particularly poor. Stories like this just show no depth of understanding at all from the reporter. (Not to pick on this reporter - it's a systemic problem.)

Stewart | 7:51 p.m. May 15, 2008

Not that it matters, but before the world population reaches 12 billion the United States will have passed one billion. The U.S. will pass a billion in about two generations if legal and illegal immigration continue at the present rate.

The American economy is built on a rapidly expanding population. Since the present generation reproduction rate has fallen to 2.1 children per family the population growth would level off, but the American economic model would not be able to adjust. So, population must expand until we reach a world wide collapse. Then the good old boys of disease, war, pestilence and famine will put the population back into balance. Democracy and self-government will have been long since lost by that time.

Anonymous | 8:14 p.m. May 15, 2008

I have to laugh at everyone that constantly complains about low wages in Utah. If you're so concerned about it, start your own company and pay your workers higher wages instead of just whining and doing nothing about it.

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