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ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• With housing costs rising, job security wavering, more people working remotely, and many feeling settled where they are, fewer residents are packing up and starting fresh somewhere new. Just 12.6 percent of Utah residents moved in 2024, compared to just 11 percent of Americans, according to a study by Point2Homes. The national figure was the lowest rate ever recorded. Utah’s rate was 10th-highest among states. Among its movers, 21.8 percent came from out of state (roughly 95,200 people), ranking No. 28 among states. Salt Lake City has a share of out-of-state movers of 24.9 percent, totaling more than 11,200 new residents who crossed state borders to change address. Renters make up the majority of those relocating in the city, whether from within Utah or from other states (around 80 percent). The lowest overall move rate was 7.8 percent in New Jersey. The highest was 14 percent in Alaska. Mobility nationally is steadily falling: In the 1900s, nearly 1 in 3 Americans moved each year. Then, by the 1960s, it was 1 in 5. In 2024, only about 1 in 9 people changed residences. In 2024, few made big moves, with only 19.3 percent changing states, down from 20.1 percent in 2023. Details are at https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/us-mobility-rates-reach-historical-low.html.
• Utah is ranked No. 9 on a list of “Best States for Seniors,” compiled by Opera Beds, specializing in home hospital beds. It considered factors including chronic condition rates, healthy life expectancy, and physical ability among over-65s nationwide. The top-ranked state overall is Vermont. The bottom-ranked state is West Virginia. The study indicates that nearly 93 percent of American seniors now live with at least one chronic condition, and rates are on the rise, with the study revealing a 9.5 percent increase in cancer diagnoses and a 9.4 percent rise in obesity among adults aged 65 and older since 2015. Seniors face the greatest health challenges in the Southeastern states. In West Virginia, over one-third of older adults live with obesity (34.7 percent), while Louisiana has the highest obesity rate at 36.1 percent. Life expectancy at 65 there is just over 16 years, tied with Mississippi for the shortest in the nation. Details are at https://operabeds.com/blogs/us-blogs/aging-well-in-the-us-best-and-worst-states-for-seniors.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
• Columbus Community Center, in partnership with the Utah Manufacturers Association and Salt Lake Community College, have announced the graduation of the first cohort of the Utah Uniquely Abled Machinist Program (UUAMP). This inaugural group of six people has completed a 12-week CNC machine operation training program and is ready to step into entry-level roles in Utah’s high-demand manufacturing sector. Funded through a Return to Work Grant from Talent Ready Utah, UUAMP prepares uniquely abled adults — specifically those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — for skilled, well-paying careers in advanced manufacturing. The program model includes 300 hours of technical machining instruction delivered by SLCC and job readiness, coaching and workplace preparation provided by Columbus Community Center. Nationally, the Uniquely Abled Academy averages an 85 percent job placement success rate. Program managers worked with Utah manufacturers to determine what specific positions are needed in the workforce — including CNC operators, machinist apprentices, and mill/lathe technicians — and then trained the cohort to meet that need with the goal of a 100 percent job placement rate. Columbus Community Center opened in 1968 with the mission to support the growth, development and independence of persons with disabilities.
• The spring Executive Certificate of Global Business Management course offered by Salt Lake Community College starts March 18. The course is offered to business executives, professionals, working staff, entrepreneurs and qualified students who want to increase their knowledge and improve their strategies in global business practices. The course cost is $1,145, with scholarships and discounts available. Classes can be taken in-classroom (at SLCC’s Miller Campus in Sandy), online or a hybrid. The course application deadline is March 13. Registration can be completed at https://themillatslcc.com/education/executive-certificate-global-business-management/. Information sessions about the course are scheduled for Jan. 28 and Feb. 25. Both are online and are free. Details are available by contacting Venita Ross at 801-957-5336 or Venita.Ross@slcc.edu.
GOVERNMENT
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected two local governments from Region 8 to receive over $8.3 million in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants to help improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure. One is Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District in Utah, which will receive over $3.4 million. It will use the funds to enhance compost education and collection, specifically expanding a compost facility, funding curbside organics collection receptacles for local cities, and implementing new education and outreach activities to increase public participation. It is among 17 local governments selected to receive funding through the SWIFR grants for the political subdivisions program. More than 300 local governments applied for $58 million in grant funds under this program.
MILESTONES
• WellStreet Urgent Care, an Atlanta-based expert in developing and scaling urgent care networks with health system partners, and bioMérieux, a French vitro diagnostics company with its North American headquarters in Salt Lake City, have announced a milestone: the 200,000th patient diagnosed via the Biofire Spotfire Respiratory/Sore Throat Panel Mini in its urgent clinics since the first instrument placement in February 2025. Until that time, patients who presented with respiratory and/or sore throat symptoms at a WellStreet Urgent Care-affiliated clinic might have a sample taken during a visit and receive their diagnosis several days later. The clinician could then prescribe the appropriate therapy, if needed. Molecular testing with Biofire Spotfire Respiratory/Sore Throat Panel Mini allows patients to receive an accurate diagnosis in about 15 minutes across five key pathogens and leave their appointment with appropriate therapy, if needed. WellStreet Urgent Care Clinics serve more than 2 million patients each year at more than 150 urgent care centers. BioMérieux is present in 45 countries and serves more than 160 countries with the support of a network of distributors.
RECOGNITIONS
• Twenty-six Intermountain Health hospitals, most of them in Utah, have been named on a list of “2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care,” compiled by U.S. News & World Report. That is more hospitals than any other health system in the country. Eight of the Intermountain Health hospitals are located outside Utah. The U.S. News list also includes University of Utah Hospital and Ashley Regional Medical Center in Vernal.
• USANA, a Salt Lake City-based producer of nutrition and lifestyle products, has announced that its Probiotic supplement has earned the ConsumerLab.com Seal of Approval. The third-party certification recognizes products that meet the highest standards for purity, potency and scientific accuracy. USANA’s Probiotic aims to deliver a balanced blend of beneficial bacteria formulated to support healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and everyday wellness. To earn the Seal of Approval, USANA’s Probiotic supplement underwent comprehensive, independent testing for potency, purity, viability and label accuracy. It was required to deliver its stated levels of live, active bacterial strains through expiration, and pass all contaminant testing.
TECHNOLOGY
• Gabb, a Lehi-based company focused on safe technology for children, recently hosted four youngsters who have been appointed to the Gabb Kids Advisory Council. They provided feedback from a kids’ perspective on new products, Gabb Music, customer service and marketing. The 2026 Kids Advisory Council Members are sixth- and seventh-graders from Kentucky, California, New York and Arizona. At Gabb, they brainstormed future product offerings, designed custom wallpapers, recorded new customer service messages with jokes and riddles instead of hold music, curated a holiday playlist for a Gabb music app, filmed and edited videos for parents’ social platforms, and shared their experiences at a mock news conference. Beyond the December Gabb Kids Advisory Council kickoff, the council members will participate in quarterly meetings, surveys and early product testing opportunities.