Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) Grant

The Rural Employment Development Incentive grant is administered by the State of Utah through the Governor Office of Economic Opportunity, specifically within the Center for Rural Development. The program is designed to stimulate economic growth in rural communities by incentivizing businesses to create new, high paying jobs. The funder operates as a state level economic development entity focused on strengthening local economies, particularly in areas that may face geographic or population related disadvantages. Rural eligibility is defined broadly to include rural counties as well as certain cities and towns with populations of 10000 or less in select counties, along with most areas of Washington County excluding the City of St George. The primary objective of the grant is to encourage businesses to expand their workforce in rural Utah by creating new full time employment opportunities. These positions may be physically located within rural counties, housed in satellite or hub offices, or structured as remote roles, provided the employee resides in a qualifying rural area. The program is structured to reward job creation that contributes to sustainable economic activity and wage growth in underserved regions. The incentive amount is tied to wage levels relative to county and state averages, ensuring alignment with broader economic benchmarks. Funding under the program is awarded on a per position basis, with businesses eligible to receive between 4000 and 6000 dollars for each qualifying job created. The exact incentive amount depends on how the county average wage compares to the statewide average wage. Positions in counties with lower relative wages may qualify for higher incentive amounts, up to 6000 dollars per job. There is an annual cap, allowing a business entity to receive up to 250000 dollars in total funding within a single fiscal year. Funds are intended to support job creation efforts and must align with the program requirements for employment quality and duration. Eligibility requirements are clearly defined and must be met prior to application approval. Businesses must apply and receive approval before creating any new positions. The roles must be newly created rather than relocated, must be full time positions meeting at least 30 hours per week, and must pay at least 100 percent of the county average wage excluding benefits. Additionally, the positions must be maintained for a minimum of 12 consecutive months and filled by new hires. Certain industries are excluded, including businesses primarily engaged in construction, retail, staffing, or public utilities. Employers must also maintain their baseline number of employees at the time of application submission. The application process is structured around quarterly submission windows, with the application portal opening for approximately two weeks following the end of each calendar quarter. For the 2026 cycle, application periods are scheduled for February 1 to 15, May 1 to 15, August 1 to 15, and November 1 to 15. Applicants must submit through the designated state portal and adhere to all requirements prior to initiating hiring activities. The program includes a defined grant cycle that begins with application submission, followed by an eligible hiring period, an employment retention period, a 90 day reimbursement request submission window, and ultimately contract completion. Evaluation of applications is based on compliance with eligibility requirements and alignment with program goals related to job creation and wage standards. While specific scoring criteria are not detailed, adherence to wage thresholds, job sustainability, and geographic eligibility are critical factors. Award timing aligns with the application cycle and subsequent verification of job creation and retention milestones. Program administration includes oversight by state officials and requires documentation to support reimbursement claims. For assistance or additional information, applicants may contact the administering office via email at business at utah dot gov or by phone at 801 538 8680. The program operates on a recurring quarterly basis, providing multiple opportunities each year for eligible businesses to apply. This recurring structure supports continuous economic development efforts and allows businesses to plan workforce expansion in alignment with application windows and funding availability.