Rural County Grant Program

The Rural County Grant is administered by the State of Utah through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development as part of the Rural Opportunity Program. This program was established under Utah state law to support rural communities in strengthening their local economies. Oversight is provided by the Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee, which advises on funding decisions, program rules, and reporting requirements. The grant is specifically designed to empower rural county governments to take ownership of their economic development strategies and implement projects that align with local priorities. The primary purpose of the Rural County Grant is to address economic development needs in rural areas across Utah. The program supports initiatives in three major categories: business recruitment, development, and expansion; workforce training and development; and infrastructure or capital improvements that facilitate business growth. Counties are expected to identify projects that will stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and improve long term economic conditions. Funding is intended to be used strategically to enhance local capacity and promote sustainable development outcomes. Eligible applicants are rural counties in Utah classified as third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class, with the exception of counties that contain municipalities exceeding specified population thresholds. To qualify, counties must establish and maintain a County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board, which provides guidance on project selection and grant usage. Counties must also demonstrate compliance with prior grant reporting requirements and submit a complete application each fiscal year detailing planned economic development activities. The application process requires counties to submit a formal proposal through an online portal following approval of their annual report. The application must include organizational information, a detailed scope of work, a line item budget with narrative justification, and supporting documentation such as a W9 form, advisory board member list, meeting minutes, and an invoice. Applicants must also outline expected deliverables, performance metrics, and anticipated economic outcomes. Additional documentation is required if funds will be used for consultants or employees, including contracts and detailed scopes of work. Applications are reviewed by staff within the Governor’s Office of Economic Development with input from the Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee. Evaluation is based on alignment with program goals, feasibility of proposed projects, and the clarity of performance measures and expected outcomes. Upon approval, counties enter into a grant agreement with the state that aligns with the fiscal year, running from July 1 through June 30. Funds are distributed after contract execution and invoice submission. The grant operates on an annual cycle. Applications typically open around July 1 and close on September 1 each year, while annual reporting for previously awarded funds is due by August 1. Counties must submit their reports before being eligible to apply for new funding. Failure to comply with reporting requirements or underutilization of funds may result in denial of future funding. This recurring structure ensures ongoing accountability and continuous investment in rural economic development.

Ensure strong alignment with economic development categories; provide clear measurable outcomes and performance metrics; maintain compliance with reporting requirements