New economic data was released last week- so let’s break it down. Here are the 3 numbers you should know…
- Utah employment grew 1.4% year-over-year in July versus 0.3% nationally, putting Utah 4th highest among U.S. states for annual employment growth in July 2026. Meaning they added about 25,200 jobs between July 2025 and July 2026.
- Utah consumer sentiment, peoples confidence in the economy and personal finances, increased for a 3rd consecutive month- from July to August. Utah rose 2.7% while national sentiment fell 6.3%.
- Taxable retail sales grew 4.9% during the first half of 2026. This is the most important number for small businesses to pay the most attention to. After adjusting for inflation, taxable sales were still up about 1.6%. In other words, Utahns are spending more.
What does this mean? Utah’s economy is holding up better than much of the country right now. For Weber County businesses, this creates opportunity. Whether you’re running a restaurant, retail shop, construction company, professional service or another business, a strong state economy can translate into more customers, new employees, growing businesses that need your services and additional investment in our community.
The numbers don’t mean every business will experience growth automatically and Utah is still dealing with higher costs and economic uncertainty, like the rest of the nation. But they do show that Utah is entering this season from a stronger position than much of the nation. The outlook is encouraging- these numbers are giving Utah businesses something to feel good about.
At the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce, our goal is to help local businesses turn our current strong economic environment into real opportunities for growth- together we can bridge that gap. Through networking events and community connections, our members can meet new customers, partners and other local business owners. Chamber promotion helps members get their name in front of more people- make sure to take full advantage and complete your online directory page! Professional development gives business owners and employees opportunities to build new skills and learn how to take advantage of the latest opportunities in business and our local community. Also, the Chamber is constantly advocating for policies that support a strong local business environment. The Chamber helps connect local businesses to the people, resources and opportunities that can help turn positive economic momentum into real growth. When Weber County businesses grow, they create jobs, strengthen our communities and help keep our local economy moving forward.
The numbers in Utah are strong. Now it’s up to us to make the most of them. We’re Stronger Together!
