tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89312067151286008712024-03-05T01:06:22.726-07:00Southwest's Labor Market and EconomyA product of the Workforce Research and Analysis Division of the Utah Department of Workforce ServicesCory Stahlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03534151200744644560noreply@blogger.comBlogger1029125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-72371680939691488002020-05-28T07:43:00.000-06:002020-05-28T07:44:20.760-06:00Unemployment Insurance Claims Data Shed Light on the Local Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southwest Utah<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
By Lecia Parks Langston, Senior Economist</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em><strong>“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize
this, and you will find strength.” </strong>Marcus Aurelius</em></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses lost
revenues and workers lost jobs. But because of the time it takes to collect and
collate data, economists have been left without much information to quantify
the economic impacts at the local level.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But there is one ray of data illumination. Claims for unemployment
benefits are promptly available and provide information about a large cross
section of the economy. This post will outline what light unemployment claims data
sheds on the state of southwest Utah’s economy.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While not all workers are protected by unemployment
insurance laws, roughly 95% of jobs are covered. This makes claims data an
exceptional source of information about the economy. Not included under
unemployment insurance laws are most self-employed workers, about half of
agricultural employment, unpaid family workers, railroad personnel (covered
separately) and many nonprofit organizations (such as churches). Also, some out-of-work
employees may not have worked a sufficient work history to qualify for
unemployment insurance benefits, but may file anyway. Fortunately, in this time
of economic distress, the social safety nets of the unemployment insurance program,
special national COVID-19 funding and social programs are working together to
keep workers’ income and well-being stable.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Unemployment claimants and the unemployed; they aren’t the
same</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also, keep in mind that, in addition to individuals drawing
unemployment benefits, the unemployment rate includes those entering and
re-entering the workforce and noncovered groups without current employment.
This means the number of “unemployed” will be greater than the number of
claimants. In “normal” times, only about 40% of the “unemployed” are claiming
benefits. The generally reported unemployment rate also has a work-search
requirement. If you haven’t made any minimal attempts to find work, you aren’t
counted as “unemployed.”</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Watch this Space</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While this analysis won’t be updated regularly, new data
will be added to the data visualization on a weekly basis allowing readers to
check back for the latest information.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
An Unprecedented Event</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not surprisingly, first-time claims for unemployment benefits
soared in Utah and across the nation as the pandemic swept across the country. This
increase is unprecedented since the creation of unemployment insurance coverage
during the Great Depression. Week 12 (beginning March 16) marks the start of
this unparalleled surge in claims. On a positive note, while new claims for
unemployment benefits have skyrocketed in Utah, the state currently shows one
of the lowest claims rates in the nation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For most southwest Utah counties, initial claims peaked during
week 13 (starting March 23) and have since tapered downward. During the peak week
13, initial claims filed totaled 2,364 in southwest Utah. In all of 2019, only
3,803 claims were filed in the region. By week 19, claims measured considerably
lower but continued to run substantially greater than in previous years — even
during the Great Recession.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Here’s another example of the tremendous flood of new claims.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, counties in southwest Utah averaged a total of
82 first-time claims per week. This time period in early 2020 included
seasonally high claims weeks in January. In the weeks after, an average of
1,343 claims were filed for an almost unbelievable increase of 1,538%.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Who took the hardest hit?</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Counties with a high-dependence on tourism have felt the
greatest economic and employment shocks. In Garfield County, with the highest
share of tourism-related employment in the state, roughly 20% of individuals
covered by unemployment insurance have filed a claim — twice the rate of the
state (10%) Moreover, many seasonal Garfield County workers were already
drawing unemployment before the pandemic hit. In contrast, in Beaver County,
only 4% of covered workers filed a claim during the pandemic. Iron (9%), Kane
(10%) and Washington (11%) also felt the repercussions of upswing in furloughs
and job loss.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Tourism and COVID-19</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Especially in the early stages of the pandemic, this is a
story of tourism-dependent industries. Almost 23% of post-COVID-19 initial
claims filed in southwest Utah represented workers previously employed in accommodations
and food services. In addition, the true effect of the pandemic on this
industry is masked by a large number of claims classified as industry “unknown”
in the early days of the claims flood. Undoubtedly, many of these claims would
rightfully be classified in accommodations/food services if the appropriate information
were available.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Other high-claims industries included retail trade,
healthcare/social assistance (reflecting the cessation of elective procedures
and visits) and administrative support/waste management/remediation (the home to
temporary employment agencies). Many of these high-claim industries reflect their
high share of total employment in general. In addition, they often serve the
public face to face or encountered damage due to the decline in demand for travel.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
The Industry Flow</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While most of the high-claim industries felt the pain of the
pandemic early on, other industries surged in later weeks. As the economic
effects of other closures worked their way through the economy both
manufacturing and transportation/warehousing proved relative latecomers to the
layoffs in southwest Utah.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
The High and the Low</h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Although accommodations/food services has generated the
largest number of southwest Utah initial claims in the COVID-19 pandemic time
period, in percentage terms, other industries have actually suffered more. For
example, in the extremely small management of companies industry, roughly 50%
of workers have filed for claims. The administrative support/waste
management/remediation industries, which includes temporary employment firms,
shows a first-time claims rate of 27%.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Because of its job-to-job nature, the construction industry
typically accounts for 15-20% of first-time claims. However, although
construction’s new claims have also increased, they have increased at a much slower-than-average
rate. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, construction contributed only about 5%
of first-time claims. Ease of social-distancing and good weather have helped
construction maintain employment levels. New claims measured just 3% of covered
construction employment.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Only a portion of agricultural employment is covered by
unemployment insurance laws. However, as companies work to keep America fed,
agribusiness has laid off few employees. In Iron and Beaver counties, covered
agriculture plays a notable role in the economy. However, only 1% of southwest
Utah’s covered agricultural workers have filed a claim during the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Public administration, educational services (including
public and higher education), finance/insurance and utilities have also managed
to keep a higher percentage of their workforces employed.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
County by County</h3>
<br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Beaver County</h4>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;">
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Beaver County
averaged 2 unemployment claims per week compared to 16 new claims afterward, an
increase of 834%.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;">
Because of its relatively small share of
hard-hit tourism-dependent employment and higher-than-average share of
lightly-hit covered agricultural employment, Beaver County has shown a smaller
increase in claims due to the pandemic.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;">
New claims as a percent of covered employment
measured just 4% — one of the lowest rates in the state.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;">
As in many other areas, accommodations/food
services produced the highest number of new claims, with few claims in
healthcare/social assistance.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;">
Unusually, arts/entertainment/recreation also
contributed a high number of new claims.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;">
Beaver County accounted for 2% of the Southwest
Region’s new claims prior to the pandemic, but only 1% of claims afterward.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Garfield County</h4>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
Despite having the highest percentage of
leisure/hospitality employment in the state, Garfield County ranked third for
the percentage of initial claims filed as a share of covered employment (20%) after
the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This is likely because many seasonal workers were
already drawing unemployment insurance payments when the pandemic began.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Garfield County
averaged six first-time claims per week, compared to an average of 53 claims
per week afterwards. This change represents an increase of 856%.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
Nearly 70% of claims were filed from workers
furloughed from the accommodations/food service industry. A large share of
claims from the “unknown” industry category most likely originated from this
industry as well.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
Apart from retail trade, other industries
contributed few new claims.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
Seasonal claims from the colder months meant
Garfield County’s initial claims actually accounted for a larger share (6%) of
the Southwest Region’s figure before the pandemic than after (4%).</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Iron County</h4>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3;">
In the weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, Iron
County averaged 16 initial claims per week. After the pandemic hit, an average
of 236 claims were filed per week, marking an increase of 1,390%.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3;">
In Iron County, first-time claims during the
pandemic measured 9% of covered employment. That places Iron County in the
bottom half of a county-by-county ranking.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3;">
As in many counties, Iron County’s
accommodations/food service industry accounted for the highest number of new
claims during the COVID-19 slowdown.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3;">
Healthcare/social assistance and retail trade
ranked second and third respectively for new claims.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3;">
First-time claims from the manufacturing spiked
in late April.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Kane County</h4>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4;">
Despite having a high percentage of
tourism-related employment, the county showed a middle-of-the-pack ranking for
new claims as a share of covered employment (10%). As in Garfield County, many
seasonal employees were already drawing unemployment benefits prior to the pandemic.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4;">
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kane County
averaged a nominal two first-time claims per week compared with 44 claims after
the pandemic struck. This increase of 1,708% ranked as the largest in the
region.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4;">
Accommodations/food services, retail trade and
arts/entertainment/recreation generated the highest number of initial claims during
the pandemic.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4;">
Roughly 44% of Kane County’s post-directive initial
claims originated in the accommodations/food services industry.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4;">
Kane County’s regional share of new claims held
steady before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Washington County</h4>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
Not surprisingly, the county with the largest
employment in southwest Utah also generated the largest number of
COVID-19-related first-time claims. However, its share of claims increased from
69% prior to the pandemic to 74% during.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 56
initial claims were being filed in Washington County compared to an average of
994 claims in the following weeks. The pre-to-post-pandemic increase registered
1,668%</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
Initial claims for unemployment benefits filed during
the pandemic as a percent of covered employment measured 11%, near the middle
of a ranking of all Utah counties.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
Although it has a higher-than-average share of
employment in accommodations/food services industry, Washington County’s
economy is more diverse than many less-populated counties in the state. This
industry’s share of claims in Washington County measured only 19% compared to
69% in Garfield County and 44% in Kane County.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
Here too, accommodations/food services was the
source of the largest number of new claims followed by retail trade,
administration support/waste management/remediation (which includes temporary
employment agencies) and healthcare/social assistance.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
Claims originating from both manufacturing and
transportation surged towards the end of the pandemic time period.</div>
</li>
</ul>
Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-88525351239093230352020-05-26T14:09:00.000-06:002020-05-26T14:09:00.989-06:002019 City Population Estimates Now Available<div class="tableauPlaceholder" id="viz1590523491984" style="position: relative;">
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<script type="text/javascript"> var divElement = document.getElementById('viz1590523491984'); var vizElement = divElement.getElementsByTagName('object')[0]; vizElement.style.width='800px';vizElement.style.height='1050px'; var scriptElement = document.createElement('script'); scriptElement.src = 'https://public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js'; vizElement.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, vizElement); </script><br />Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-35471898734826749312020-04-20T07:43:00.000-06:002020-04-20T07:43:13.613-06:00Health Insurance In the Time of COVID-19U.S. Census Bureau releases new 2018 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates<br />
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<strong>By Lecia Parks Langston, Senior Economist<strong></strong></strong><br />
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<strong></strong><em><strong>“Americans want jobs. They want affordable health insurance. They want an education.” </strong>John McCain</em> <br />
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As the world hunkers down under the effects of a pandemic, the need for health insurance coverage becomes even more apparent than usual. Just how many Utahns are covered by health insurance? Who are the uninsured? Data just released by the U.S. Census Bureau (2018 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE)) provides enlightenment on healthcare coverage in the under-65-year-old population. Additional demographic information is available from the American Community Survey, rounding out our understanding of the insured and uninsured in Utah. <br />
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Small Area Estimates </h3>
The SAHIE estimates cover the population under 65 years of age. Of course, virtually all citizens 65 and older are covered by government-provided Medicare benefits. Because these estimates date back to 2008, two years before the signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), they suggest the how the ACA has changed the health-insurance landscape in Utah. <br />
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Compared to other counties across the United States, Utah’s counties, for the most part, had mid-level to high levels of insured individuals in 2018 (the most recent data available). National regions of high coverage include northern eastern states and the west coast. Texas seems to have the highest uninsured levels with a vast number of counties experiencing uninsured rates of greater than 20%. Most Utah counties have uninsured shares below 15%. <br />
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In 2018, Morgan, Davis, Daggett and Emery counties showed the highest insured rates in Utah. In contrast, San Juan, Duchesne, Uintah, Piute and Garfield experienced the lowest rates of health insurance coverage. <br />
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That was then, this is now </div>
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The number and share of Utahns covered by health insurance have certainly improved in the past 10 years. In 2008, roughly 83.7% of the under-65 population was insured compared to about 89.6% in 2018, an increase of nearly 6 percentage points. In terms of individuals, that increase represents a gain of 427,000 insured Utahns. <br />
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However, coverage appears to have peaked in 2016 at 90.3% and has since retrenched. The repeal of ACA’s individual mandate and price increases, due to the elimination of cost-sharing reductions to payers selling individual plans, likely contributed to the recent slight decline in Utah coverage. However, the state’s Medicaid expansion, effective in 2020, should help bump up insured rates. <br />
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Less-populated counties, with initial low insured rates, experienced the strongest gains in insured shares. Daggett, Rich, Grand, Kane and San Juan counties displayed gains of roughly 10-points or higher. While all counties showed an improvement in the insured share of the under-65-year population, Salt Lake, Carbon, Summit and Millard counties experienced the smallest gains. </div>
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Highlights from the American Community Survey (2014-2018) </div>
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<li>Roughly 58% of Utahns (of all ages) are insured in full or in part by employer-provided plans. Only 9% directly purchase their entire insurance coverage from a private provider. In total, nearly 70% of the state’s citizens have private coverage. </li>
<li>In total, public plans (Medicare and Medicaid) cover roughly 12% of Utah’s population. About 7% of the population is covered by Medicaid with another 3% covered by just Medicare. Roughly 1% of Utahns have coverage under both Medicare and Medicaid. </li>
<li>Those with a combination of public and private coverage account for another 9% of Utah’s population. That group includes 4% of Utahns who carry Medicare plus a supplemental source of private insurance. On the other hand, 10% have no healthcare insurance at all. </li>
<li>The very young and the very old are most likely to carry health insurance. Thanks to Medicare, individuals 65 years and older are the most likely to be covered (99%). On the other end of the spectrum, children under 6 years old displayed a coverage rate of 94%, with 6-18 year olds not far behind (92%). </li>
<li>Individuals between the ages of 26 and 34 are the least likely to have health insurance. Only 84% are covered in Utah. </li>
<li>By gender, females (91%) are just slightly more likely than males (89%) to maintain health insurance. This may be partially due to the dominance of women in the highly-covered 65-years-and-older group. </li>
<li>Education shows a high correlation with health insurance coverage. Persons with a bachelor’s degree or higher show the highest coverage rate — 96%. On the other end of the scale, individuals who did not graduate from high school maintained an insured rate of just 68%. </li>
<li>Not surprisingly, of all labor force statuses, the unemployed are least likely to have health insurance (65%). Interestingly, those not in the labor force (which would include the retired), display an insured rate just slightly lower than the employed. In addition, based on work experience, individuals working full-time, year-round are the most likely group be insured. </li>
<li>Household income is also a good predictor of health insurance coverage. Those with the highest incomes ($100,000 and over) have the highest coverage rates (95%). In contrast, those with the lowest incomes (under $25,000) have the lowest coverage rates (81%). a</li>
<li>Latino and Native Americans show the lowest rates of any major ethnic/racial groups. Rates for both sets measure just 73%. White, non-Latino Utahns maintain the highest health insurance coverage shares. </li>
<li>Only 56% of noncitizens have health insurance in Utah compared to 92 percent of Utahns born in the United States. </li>
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Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-5595313297435447482020-04-07T07:01:00.000-06:002020-04-07T07:01:01.375-06:00The U.S. Census Bureau Releases County Population Estimates for 2019 <h2>
Next year, actual counts from the decennial census will be available
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<strong>By Lecia Parks Langston, Senior Economist</strong>
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<em><strong>“Any time you have population growth, there are business opportunities.”</strong> Roland Dorson</em>
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Hopefully, all Utahns are taking a break from COVID-19 concerns to respond (by phone, online or by mail) to their 2020 Census questionnaires (https://2020census.gov/). Since the Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding are spent, accurate counts are important in order for Utah’s communities to get their “fair share.”
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Because the actual counts are not yet available, the U.S. Census Bureau has just released the last set of population estimates for the decade. What do they show?
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<li>Iron County took the lead in population growth rates for 2019 — up by 4.1%. Following close behind was its neighbor, Washington County, with a growth rate of 3.5%. </li>
<li>Other fast-growing areas included counties at the edge of urban spread, such as Juab, Tooele and Wasatch. </li>
<li>Although Piute County saw an increase of only about 30 individuals, its small base population also resulted in a strong percentage increase (2.9%). </li>
<li>Utah County showed the highest percentage increase (2.4%) of the big-four Wasatch Front counties. </li>
<li>Estimates for both San Juan and Daggett counties suggested a decline in population, while Duchesne County’s population appeared to hold steady. </li>
<li>Utah County experienced the largest numeric gain in population — nearly 15,000 residents, followed by Salt Lake County (up about 12,000) and Washington County (up nearly 6,000). </li>
<li>Utah and Washington counties finished neck-and-neck in the race for net in-migration. Utah County’s net in-migration measured 5,200 compared to 5,100 for Washington County. </li>
<li>Several counties displayed net out-migration. Most notable on the list were Duchesne and San Juan counties. Daggett, Emery and Summit counties showed lesser out-migration estimates. </li>
<li>For its size, Utah County shows a relatively high number of births and a low number of deaths, placing its natural increase not far behind population-dense Salt Lake County. </li>
<li>Although Washington and Cache counties showed roughly equivalent numbers of births, deaths in Washington County measured much higher. </li>
<li>In 2019, Emery County experienced its first (albeit small) population growth in more than a decade. </li>
<li>Morgan County’s 2019 growth rate slipped below the state average for the first time this decade. </li>
<li>Wayne County saw its best population growth (1.5%) of the past 10 years in 2019. </li>
<li>Between 2010 and 2019, Wasatch County was the third fastest growing county in the nation. Washington County (St George, UT MSA) was the fifth fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States between 2010 and 2019. Its relatively small size contributes mathematically to a high growth rate. The Provo-Orem, UT MSA ranked ninth. </li>
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These aren’t the only estimates in town. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah has assembled the Utah Population Committee (UPC) to reinstitute the population-estimates work previously conducted by the Utah Population Estimates Committee (UPEC). These estimates can be found <a href="https://gardner.utah.edu/demographics/population-estimates/">here</a>. <br />
U.S. Census Bureau estimates use the same methodology in producing population figures for every county in the nation. Therefore, for nationwide comparisons, U.S. Census Bureau estimates may have the advantage. On the other hand, UPC population estimates have the benefit of local-analyst expertise and additional data sources.
Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-76582783260622073142019-12-23T14:05:00.004-07:002019-12-23T14:05:56.127-07:00Residential tenants begin moving into Joule Plaza in downtown St. GeorgeAfter years in the making, residential tenants have begun to move into the $34 million Joule Plaza project with commercial tenants not far behind. There is the potential for the project to add 200 to 400 residents to the downtown area. Along with part-time and full-time residents, Joule Plaza is expected to attract rentals from tourists. Joule Plaza features more than 19,000 square feet of commercial space as well as residential units that range from studio apartments to one and two-bedroom accommodations. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/12/11/dld-residential-tenants-begin-moving-into-joule-plaza-in-downtown-st-george/#.XfongihKiM8">St. George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-54792551685395776492019-12-23T14:04:00.005-07:002019-12-23T14:04:55.257-07:00SunTran service to roll into Washington CityThe Washington City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with St. George to expand SunTran bus service into the city’s downtown area. If all goes as planned, SunTran will be rolling through Washington City by summer 2021 at the latest.
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Following discussion between county and municipal officials, the Washington County Commission chose to adopt a 0.25% sales tax in June. The county plans to use a portion of the sales tax revenue for a proposed St. George to Springdale transit route. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/12/13/mgk-suntran-service-to-roll-into-washington-city-thanks-to-0-25-sales-tax/#.XfomQShKiM8">St. George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-64375391547483946792019-12-23T14:03:00.001-07:002019-12-23T14:03:42.661-07:00Washington County building gets $1.5 million faceliftThe Washington County administrative building off St. George Boulevard recently got a facelift, with about a $1.5 million price tag. The building got new roofing, stucco, additional windows and other exterior work done the last six months. The revamping of this building is the first phase of several in updating and remodeling county buildings – which some parts of the buildings date back to 1966. <br />
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Construction began June 17, with MRW Design heading the project's architectural plans. Felshaw said Watts Construction Inc. was ahead of schedule for the most part throughout the last six months. Eventually, the interior of the building will be remodeled.
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A request for quotes has been sent out to build a new administrative building on Tabernacle Street. This next year will be spent securing an architect and contractor, and the county hopes to break ground by the end of 2020 on a new building. <em><u><a href="https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/12/17/county-building-open-after-over-1-million-facelift/2676730001/">The Spectrum</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-51765279176597085272019-12-23T14:01:00.003-07:002019-12-23T14:06:29.315-07:00Proposed RV park outside Zion National Park rejectedA proposal to build an RV park, hotel and gas station near the northwest entrance to Zion National Park has been rejected by county commissioners who said the rural area wasn’t equipped to handle that kind of commercial development.
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A company called Juniper Investors was asking the commission to rezone land near the town of New Harmony, Washington County, off Interstate 15. The area is near an entrance to Zion National Park that leads to a 5-mile scenic drive through the Kolob Canyons area. The park’s main entrance is southwest of there, about a 40-mile drive by highway to the town of Springdale, which already has dozens of hotels, restaurants, and outfitter and souvenir shops.
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Park officials opposed the project because they worried the development would affect views from the canyon and overwhelm the limited staff that work the entrance. <a href="https://www.deseret.com/utah/2019/12/4/20995617/proposed-rv-park-outside-zion-national-park-rejected"><em>Deseret News</em></a> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-51372772847110500532019-12-23T14:00:00.001-07:002019-12-23T14:00:25.765-07:00Dixie State University breaks ground on new Science, Engineering and Technology buildingDixie State University has started construction on a new Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) building. Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature appropriated $50 million worth of funds to the university for the SET building and an additional $4.4 million toward the completion of the Human Performance Center. The SET building is expected to be complete for the fall 2021 semester. The facility will be a total of 120,000-square-foot and is being created by Jacobsen Construction and VCBO Architecture. The building will include 26 laboratories, three levels of outdoor patios, classrooms and an astronomy deck. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/10/23/arh-we-are-just-getting-started-here-dixie-state-breaks-ground-on-new-science-engineering-and-technology-building/#.XcQ5HihKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-17503749998039261632019-12-23T13:58:00.006-07:002019-12-23T13:58:56.236-07:00Pecan Valley Estates breaks ground in HurricaneNestled between the crimson cliffs of Sand Hollow State Park and the Virgin River in Hurricane, the new housing development Pecan Valley Estates has broken ground. Phase one will include 27 lots ranging in size from a quarter- to a half-acre and priced $85,000 to $125,000. Developers expect homes to run in the $400,000 price point range. The next phase will have 33 lots available, and future construction will include a recreation resort and clubhouse with nightly rentals available. The final phase will be higher-end estate lots with gorgeous panoramic views and private access from the east. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/10/31/ajp-spc-a-vacation-in-your-own-backyard-pecan-valley-estates-breaks-ground-in-hurricane/#.XcQ3wShKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-37998333483750711012019-12-23T13:57:00.003-07:002019-12-23T13:57:52.782-07:00St. George Temple will be closed for 3 years to undergo extensive renovation effortsThe St. George Temple, a staple of the St. George landscape, has closed for three years in order to undergo extensive structural, mechanical, plumbing and finish work. Work to be done includes the demolition of the temple’s annex, which will be rebuilt in a style matching the overall architecture of the temple proper. The new annex will continue to serve as the St. George Temple’s primary entry once reopened. The temple’s landscaping will also be given an overhaul, with plans for palm trees to line the walkway from the temple block’s east entry to the steps of the temple. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/11/01/mgk-st-george-temple-set-to-close-3-years-for-extensive-renovation-efforts/#.XcQ2byhKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-17767227029499592532019-12-23T13:56:00.006-07:002019-12-23T13:56:55.827-07:00PrinterLogic headquarters on Tech Ridge makes headwayOne of the newest buildings to go up on the 150-acre Tech Ridge in St. George is taking shape. Long-term plans for the expansive Tech Ridge development include space for buildings housing multiple tech companies surrounded by residential neighborhoods, restaurants and hotels, all flanked by a large amount of open space for recreation.
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PrinterLogic’s design plans for the building reflect the development’s “live-work-play” vision, including a large basketball court in the middle of the office space. PrinterLogic broke ground on the new building in May. Although PrinterLogic does not plan on hiring much more than its current workforce of approximately 190 employees, depending on how robust the economy becomes and how future accusations impact the business model. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/11/05/dld-printerlogic-headquarters-on-tech-ridge-makes-headway-moving-st-george-technology-into-the-future/#.XcQ1NyhKgdV">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-44174979861935026732019-12-23T13:55:00.004-07:002019-12-23T13:55:55.006-07:00New Washington County Temple Location AnnouncedThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the location of a new temple in Washington County. The temple, which was announced in October 2018 by church President Russell M. Nelson, will be built on a 14-acre site located northeast of 3000 East 1580 South in St. George. Plans call for a three-story temple of approximately 88,000 square feet.
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Detailed design plans for the new temple are still being developed. Further information — including interior and exterior renderings — will be made public later. A groundbreaking date has not been set yet. Project leaders will soon start working with city officials on preliminary plans for the temple, and they will begin filing public documents in the coming months. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/11/06/prc-church-announces-location-of-second-washington-county-temple/#.XcQ0CChKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-17675894753969795712019-12-23T13:54:00.003-07:002019-12-23T13:54:43.391-07:00Hurricane-based Green Rock Hemp Holdings announces new farms to produce plants for CBD oilGreen Rock Hemp Holdings, LLC, a Hurricane-based vertically integrated solutions provider to the industrial hemp industry, has announced the launch of its family of companies. The companies launched include GeneticsCubed, LLC, a company that designs, develops and clones genetically superior hemp seeds; Mesa Rising Hemp Farms, LLC, a large-scale cultivator of high-quality hemp plants, and Red Mesa Science & Refining, an innovative hemp processing and extraction company. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/11/06/prc-hurricane-based-green-rock-hemp-holdings-announces-new-farms-to-produce-plants-for-cbd-oil/#.XcQzeChKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-23682558022661197882019-12-23T13:53:00.002-07:002019-12-23T13:53:28.237-07:00Kanab City Council approves 72 unit apartment projectThe Kanab City Council approved a subdivision which for the purpose of building a 4.46 acre, six-building, 72-unit Vermillion Lofts Apartment complex in Kanab. <em><u><a href="https://www.sunews.net/article.cfm?articleID=2694">Southern Utah News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-22416329511987941452019-12-23T13:52:00.000-07:002019-12-23T13:52:20.814-07:00St. George Regional Airport plans on future expansionAfter recently opening following a four-month closure, St. George Regional Airport officials say the trajectory for passenger growth and future infrastructure improvements is well underway.
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Although some of the improvements have already taken place, including expanding the terminal ramp by 110 feet, expanding the Transportation Security Administration’s area and repairing the pavement and roadway at the fuel farm, the next major improvement planned is the construction of several commercial hangars. Within the next two months, construction will begin.
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In preparation for the construction, the St. George City Council recently approved the expenditure of $150,000 to cover half of the costs to pay for shared parking at the hangars. The remaining half, along with the cost of constructing the hangars, will be paid for by their owners. The council has also approved an airport budget increase by $404,400 to slightly more than $1.3 million to cover the costs of construction on a building to house the airport’s snow removal equipment. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/10/21/dld-st-george-regional-airport-plans-on-future-expansion/#.Xa8NEShKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-53584318135830751942019-12-23T13:51:00.000-07:002019-12-23T13:51:06.194-07:00Park Service OKs plan to reconstruct section of state Route 12 in Bryce CanyonThe National Park Service has approved a plan to reconstruct a section of state Route 12 that was damaged in a 2017 landslide. The project, between mileposts 14 and 18, will be implemented in three phases and is anticipated to begin next spring.
According to the park service, the roadway footprint will be 51 feet wide with 5-foot bicycle lanes on either side and shoulders that are a foot wide. Between mileposts 14.6 and 15.8, the road will be widened to include three 12-foot travel lanes for a westbound passing lane extension. <em><u><a href="https://www.deseret.com/2019/10/8/20904962/park-service-oks-plan-to-reconstruct-section-of-state-route-12-in-bryce-canyon">Deseret News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-38343028868276202082019-12-23T13:49:00.003-07:002019-12-23T13:49:40.851-07:00New Washington City-Hurricane joint fire station completeA new fire station, located at 56 N. Coral Canyon Boulevard next to the Texaco gas station, is a joint venture between Washington City and the Hurricane Valley Fire District. Firefighters from both agencies will staff the station, which will serve the Coral Canyon area of Washington City and Hurricane’s nearby industrial park where the Walmart Distribution Center, Lighthouse Foods, DATS Trucking and other businesses are located.
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The cost of building the new station has been shared by Washington City and the fire district, with additional cost covered by the state in the form of a $500,000 grant and a 30-year, $1 million loan. Operational cost will also be split between the two parties. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/10/09/mgk-public-invited-to-open-house-for-new-washington-city-hurricane-joint-fire-station/#.XaRn6ChKiM8">St. George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-83195033980770195152019-10-14T05:52:00.000-06:002019-10-14T05:52:08.374-06:00Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile to cater to guests and their four-legged friendsThe new Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile in Kanab on Highway 89/300 West provides pet-friendly lodging. Best Friends founders and property developers, construction crew and staff have provided a facility where all buildings and lodging areas are pet-friendly. There is also a large pet park, complete with a water feature, a grooming area for cleaning up your pet and a stage on the property that will host some entertainment, as well as occasional animal education programs. At Best Friends they have four cabins, eight cottages and six RV sites. <em><u><a href="https://www.sunews.net/article.cfm?articleID=2678">Southern Utah News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-42670103270788872982019-10-14T05:51:00.000-06:002019-10-14T05:51:00.580-06:00Washington County grants tourism funds for Springdale visitor, history centerThe Washington County Commission granted tourism dollars to the town of Springdale for the construction and maintenance of an incoming visitor and history center. The commission approved $390,000 in an interlocal agreement with Springdale to go toward the development of the visitor center that is anticipated to “promote and maintain the heritage of the area and its cultural elements as visitors come to the Greater Zion Canyon area.
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The town of Springdale provided the initial funding for the proposed visitor-history center, which will be housed in an historic building in the area of 668 Zion Park Blvd. next to the Zion Canyon Best Western Plus Hotel. The funds the County Commission approved Tuesday come from money derived from transient room taxes paid by tourists. <a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/10/02/mgk-county-grants-tourism-funds-for-springdale-visitor-history-center/#.XZS0UyhKgdU">St George News</a> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-67565968080730729302019-10-14T05:49:00.005-06:002019-10-14T05:49:41.129-06:00Villas at Ovation to break groundThe "Ovation at Sienna Hills" project, billed by developers as an "active lifestyle village," is breaking ground on 25 private villas this month. Located near the corner of Washington Parkway and East Telegraph St., just off Interstate 15 in Washington City, the project is expected to include villas with living spaces near a clubhouse and pickleball courts.<em><u><a href="https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/business/2019/09/13/new-companies-other-business-news-southern-utah/2311287001/"> The Spectrum</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-68408441465136554362019-10-14T05:48:00.003-06:002019-10-14T05:48:30.873-06:00Last Kmart in Utah expected to close its doors in St. GeorgeThe last Kmart in Utah, located in St. George, will close its doors before the end of the year. Earlier this month, Transform Holdco, the privately-owned company that acquired Sears Holdings Corporation’s assets this year, announced the closure of five Kmart locations and a number of Sears stores across the country. Now, Transform Holdco officials have confirmed that the last Kmart in Utah, located on Bluff Street in St. George, will be one of over 100 other Kmart and Sears locations to close. The liquidation sale is expected to begin in mid-September, and the store is scheduled to close by mid-December. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/08/31/arh-bsn-last-kmart-in-utah-expected-to-close-its-doors-in-st-george/#.XW50gShKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-86785331148666123632019-10-14T05:47:00.001-06:002019-10-14T05:47:34.230-06:00New Water Park aims to turn St. George into 'Splash City'The "Splash City Adventure Park," expected to open next summer, is set to begin construction next week. It would represent the first large water park ever to open in St. George, which has seen several proposed parks come through but never materialize despite the area's high summer temperatures and heavy numbers of tourists.
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The 10-acre water park, complete with an 80-foot slide tower and 900-foot lazy river, would move in next door to a trailer park and up against the border with Washington City at approximately 2200 East Middleton Drive, just south of the Green Springs exit of Interstate 15. <em><u><a href="https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/08/30/utah-water-parks-st-george-splash-city-adventure-park/2153471001/">The Spectrum</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-43180277324656227952019-10-14T05:45:00.001-06:002019-10-14T05:45:27.461-06:00Primrose Retirement Communities to hold groundbreaking ceremony for first facility in UtahSouth Dakota-based Primrose Retirement Communities recently held a groundbreaking ceremony at their first senior living community in Utah: an 86-unit facility in Washington. Primrose specializes in personalized services and high-quality, resident-focused care, recently adding memory care apartments to their facilities for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Their mission is to create happy and healthy living environments for seniors, no matter what a person’s current health condition. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/08/23/ajp-spc-bsn-ceremony-planned-for-primrose-retirement-communities-groundbreaking-of-first-facility-in-utah/#.XWfh5OhKgdU">St George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931206715128600871.post-25164789343718034122019-10-14T05:44:00.000-06:002019-10-14T05:44:23.647-06:00Intermountain Healthcare considers 5-year plan for proposed hospital in HurricaneDixie Regional Medical Center has announced intentions to build a new hospital in Hurricane, providing the growing community with much-needed emergency services. DRMC administrators will know whether their proposal has been approved by Intermountain Healthcare’s capital committee by the end of this month.
If their plans are approved, the hospital will be built as an add-on to the Hurricane Valley Clinic, where the hospital already owns 28 acres of land. <em><u><a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/08/16/mks-dixie-regional-medical-center-announces-plans-to-build-hospital-in-hurricane/#.XVwCi-hKgdU">St. George News</a></u></em> Lecia Parks Langstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831752815015492190noreply@blogger.com