ULI Utah - Beyond Trends

In this episode of the ULI Utah Beyond Trends podcast, host Teri LaSpina is joined by Kaden Figgins, Director of Planning and Economic Development for Garfield County, and Kelly Stowell, Executive Director at the Center for Education, Business and the Arts in Kanab, to explore the realities of rural development and land use in Utah as the state experiences rapid growth.

Together, they discuss the opportunities and constraints rural counties face when most of their land is federally owned and strategies for balancing tourism, second homes and housing affordability with limited infrastructure and water. The conversation also highlights how broadband access, power and wastewater capacity are shaping future growth.

Kaden and Kelly share the political, cultural and planning tensions that come with welcoming new development while protecting heritage and natural resources and offer advice for rural leaders navigating these challenges and point to the biggest opportunities for growth in southern Utah today.

Whether you’re an urban planner, policymaker, developer or simply interested in Utah’s future, this episode offers candid insights from two seasoned rural economic development leaders on turning constraints into opportunities.

Curious about what’s really happening in Utah’s real estate capital markets? In this episode, host Jeff Grasso sits down with Michael King with Cushman & Wakefield and Phil Brierley with CBRE, for an insider look ahead of the ULI Utah Annual Trends Conference on November 12th. They break down the latest trends across residential, industrial, and office markets, exploring how rising interest rates, construction costs, and supply dynamics are shaping development and investment decisions.

 Michael and Phil also share where capital is flowing, what it takes to compete in today’s investment landscape, and the challenges and opportunities for new development. They offer expert insight into buyer underwriting assumptions, liquidity sources, and how institutional investors view Utah. Finally, they provide their predictions for the next 12 months in the market, giving listeners a clear perspective on what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s next in Utah real estate.

 If you want a clear, expert perspective on Utah’s real estate market - what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s next - this episode is a must-listen!

Dee Brewer with The Downtown Alliance sits down with Matteo Sogne, Owner of Matteo Italian Ristorante and Strada by Matteo, and Jeff Barnard, Partner with the Bar X Group, for a deep dive into the rise of urban retail entrepreneurism along the Wasatch Front. They explore why Utah is becoming a hot spot for innovative food and beverage concepts, the biggest challenges in opening and operating new restaurants, and how real estate development, government policy, and consumer behavior shape success. The conversation also covers site selection strategies, unique Utah market nuances, and what’s next for their growing restaurant 

Utah faces a housing crisis with a shortage of more than 70,000 dwelling units and the 4th largest relative affordability gap between renting and homeownership in the nation. In this episode, host Jeff Grasso of Vesta Realty Partners sits down with Victoria Petro, Salt Lake City Council Member and dedicated affordable housing advocate, and Brandon Blaser, Founder of Blaser Ventures, a leader in urban mixed-use and affordable development to discuss the urgent need for “missing middle” housing, the role of public-private partnerships, and tools developers can use to deliver more affordable homes.