The Ogden-Clearfield MSA finished second to Raleigh, North Carolina, in the ranking, which uses 13 metrics — combining labor market conditions, high-tech industry growth and access to economic opportunities — to evaluate the relative economic performance of more than 400 metropolitan areas nationwide.

Although data drives the report, Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski gave some of the credit for the area’s success to the “Utah Way” — a deeply ingrained spirit of collaboration and togetherness he believes fuels collective progress and ensures the greater good for the whole — during a roundtable discussion of the report last week in Washington, D.C.

“Every city and county in the MSA has a role to play in the metrics, so it’s important that we recognize the contributions of everyone in our collective progress,” Nadolski said in an email to the Standard-Examiner. “In my tenure as mayor, the way we are managing our airport is a good example of an Ogden City asset being managed collaboratively and as a regional (i.e., Ogden-Clearfield MSA) asset. Ogden City can’t achieve our greatest potential at the airport without the help and support of Roy City and Mayor (Bob) Dandoy, or without the support of the Weber County Commission, just to name a few.”

While such cultural attributes can feel esoteric or ethereal in nature, Andrew Keinsley, an associate professor at Weber State University and research director of the Crossroads Economics Center, said certain cultural factors do play a role in economic performance.

“Quantifying the ‘Utah Way’ may be challenging, but the culture of an area undeniably influences its success,” Keinsley said in an email to the Standard-Examiner. “This is most evident in the rules and regulations that shape the broader economic environment. Utah has historically adopted a more conservative approach to regulation, which provides flexibility for Utahns to seize opportunities as they arise. While these policies may seem minor in the short term, their cumulative impact over time is significant.”

That said, there are definitely tangible, easily identifiable factors fueling Ogden-Clearfield’s economy and labor market, not the least of which is the metro area’s symbiotic relationship with defense and aerospace industries via Hill Air Force Base and the city airport.

“The defense and aerospace industries, in particular, play a pivotal role by offering stable, high-tech and forward-looking employment opportunities. This foundation not only supports the area’s recent economic gains but also positions it for continued growth,” Keinsley wrote.

For his part, Nadolski is bullish on the continued potential of those anchor industries.

“Frankly, that success is just getting started. With our proximity to Hill Air Force Base, the continued leadership role that our local military leaders play on the world stage, the private sector partners that have chosen Utah as their home, and the world class support that neighboring cities provide for our military, it’s clear this sector will support northern Utah families and workers for generations to come,” Nadolski said.

For the average citizen, though, the economic markers that matter most are the dollars and cents deposited into their bank accounts in every two weeks. To that end, the Ogden-Clearfield metro area ranked No. 1 overall among the 400-plus metros rated in the Milken report in terms of income equality.

“I’m really proud to be the most egalitarian city in the country, where our people have better access to economic opportunities and upward mobility than anywhere else in the country,” Nadolski said.

That said, the Ogden mayor acknowledges there are still people struggling and needs to be addressed.

“Like any measure or index, context is critical. Even with such access to upward mobility, recent years of inflation and skyrocketing cost of living have made it hard for many of our residents to pay the bills. Some are even struggling to keep the lights on or put food on the table,” Nadolski said. “As local leaders, we have very little influence, if any, over the macroeconomics that created the inflationary pressures and skyrocketing household costs that our people are living through. So, we need to do all we can at the local level to keep those pressures down, while also increasing household incomes as much as possible. We have a lot more control over the latter than we do the former, so we need to redouble our efforts on workforce development and creating and attracting high-paying, family-supporting jobs for our people.”

Keinsley, meanwhile, sees the housing market as “the biggest potential bottleneck to future growth” in the metro area.

At the roundtable discussion, which included Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell and BPC report co-author Maggie Switek, Nadolski spoke of a “cyclical” approach to addressing housing needs for individuals and families at different life stages. Keinsley observed that Ogden seems to have learned from the growing pains experienced on the south side of Salt Lake City over the past decade.

“These areas have been more proactive in embracing growth, as evidenced by the construction of large apartment and condominium complexes, along with smaller single-family homes and townhomes. These developments are crucial for alleviating pressure on housing prices and minimizing the challenges associated with rapid growth,” Keinsley said.

Where the BPC index is concerned, the Ogden-Clearfield metro area actually placed in the top 15 among rated metros in housing affordability. Nevertheless, Nadolski said housing and providing opportunities for those who might not be currently thriving must be prioritized to ensure continued economic growth, even as the metro scores well in reports like the Milken BPC index.

“We need to measure our progress in terms of how people’s lives are impacted, rather than just our rank or a single measure in a study,” Nadolski said. “Moving forward our focus needs to be on keeping household costs down as much as possible (e.g., energy, transportation, taxes, etc), while also creating opportunities to raise household incomes for as many people as possible. The ultimate measure of our success will be based on the success of people.”