Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) Grant

The Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) is a grant initiative administered by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. It aims to stimulate job creation and support economic development in rural communities across Utah. The REDI grant serves as a key strategy to incentivize businesses to expand or establish new high-paying positions in eligible rural areas or smaller municipalities within certain urban counties. This effort aligns with the state’s broader mission to drive economic diversification and enhance employment opportunities in less urbanized regions. Eligible applicants include businesses proposing to create new full-time employment positions located in rural counties or within cities and towns of 10,000 residents or fewer in Weber, Davis, Utah, and Washington counties. These jobs must meet specific wage requirements—at least 100% of the average county wage—and be retained for a minimum duration of 12 months. Notably, the positions may be remote, hybrid (via satellite hubs), or in-person, as long as they are associated with the targeted geographies. However, businesses primarily engaged in construction, retail, staffing, or public utilities are excluded from participating. Each qualifying business may receive up to $6,000 per new position created, with an annual cap of $250,000 in total REDI funds. These funds are intended to directly support job creation rather than infrastructure or general operations. The grant does not list additional restrictions on how the funds may be spent, provided the positions meet the program’s criteria. Applications for REDI are accepted on a quarterly basis. The 2026 schedule is as follows: February 1–15, May 1–15, August 1–15, and November 1–15. Interested businesses must apply before creating any new positions to be considered. Applications are submitted through an online portal, which opens approximately one month following the end of each calendar quarter. The evaluation process includes compliance checks on job type, location, and wage thresholds. To be considered, applicants must complete the REDI application during the open period and await approval before initiating hiring. Detailed instructions and guidance documents are provided to assist businesses in navigating the process. No additional pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are required. Award notifications are likely issued soon after each application window closes, and successful applicants must ensure job retention for at least a year to remain compliant. For further assistance, applicants can contact the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity at (801) 538-8680 or email business@utah.gov. All official documents and support materials are accessible via the program’s main website. The REDI program continues to renew on a quarterly basis, making it a recurring opportunity for rural-focused job creation.