Office of Rural Development Annual Report

In 2019, the Governor’s Rural Partnership Board identified three priorities and recommendations to address in their strategic plan: Rural Economic Development, Rural Planning, and Rural Leadership. Within each of these three areas, top legislative priorities were chosen to guide the GRPB during the 2020 legislative session. Below is a report of each priority and recommendation.

Under Rural Economic Development, four areas were identified to support:

1. Utah State University’s Rural Online Initiative (ROI) for remote workforce development. The GRPB supported monitoring numbers of individuals trained and employed and considered making a recommendation in the future for the legislature to continue funding this program.

a. We are pleased to report that since October 2018, the Rural Online Initiative (ROI) has trained 844 Utah citizens in 19 rural counties.The total number of people trained also includes individuals trained on the

Wasatch Front earlier this year as the ROI program responded to all Utah residents’needs in response to

COVID-19. Of those taking the training to find employment, 137 now have remote jobs, with an equivalent impact of 5,216 jobs created on the Wasatch Front. ROI has also issued over 100 scholarships to continue online skills training as they seek remote employment. (View the full ROI 2020 Impact Narrative)

2. Southern Utah University made the private sector a focus of the Utah Rural Summit by launching the Southern Utah

Speed Pitch competition, speakers covering city/county planning, and youth leadership and innovation with business students attending the Summit.

a. We are pleased to report the Rural Summit’s continuation in 2020 modified to meet the constraints of the

COVID-19 pandemic with both live and virtual presenters and attendees, including the second annual Southern

Utah Speed Pitch that formed an expansive partnership with Snow College.

3. The creation of a new post-performance “Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Finance” (REDTIF) incentive or modification of the existing EDTIF.

a. We are pleased to report that legislation was created in SB 241 for this incentive, and opportunities were presented to address the challenges of promoting business expansion in rural Utah.

4. An additional percentage of Transient Room Tax (TRT) funds to be made available to counties of the 4th to 6th class and flexibility in spending for needed infrastructure to address the demands created by robust tourism visitation.

a. We are pleased to report the legislation was supported by the GRPB and passed by the legislature (HB 280).

Under Rural Planning, two areas were identified to support:

1. The Legislature — To create or expand an existing business expansion and retention grant program for rural communities to directly promote the growth of existing small business, economic diversification, job creation and strategic plans or implementation of economic development goals identified in current strategic economic development plans.

a. We are pleased to report that the GRPB supported legislation of SB95. This legislation created the Rural

County Grant program and allowed each county to individually identify their economic development needs and apply for grant funds to be used upon the recommendations of their statutorily mandated County Economic

Development advisory boards. These boards are comprised of various private business and public sector representatives. Eight million in funds were allocated, but was reduced before disbursement to $2.4 million due to COVID-19 related budget reductions.

2. The Office of Rural Development (in collaboration with other state, federal and private sector partners) — Continues to create awareness of the many resources available to rural businesses and supports the continued development and implementation of rural Strategic Economic Development Plans.

a. We are pleased to report the Office of Rural Development’s participation in the Rural Coordinating Council (RCC) composed of state, federal and private sector entities that support a myriad of rural resources. The

ORD participated at two different League of Cities and Towns conferences with the RCC to train community leaders about the various rural resources. The ORD supports the Office of Community Development in their preparation of the RCC Inventory providing updated programs and sharing the resource information as well as collaborating to identify relevant resources for our rural counties. The ORD also facilitates the Broadband

Advisory Council, bringing private infrastructure and internet service providers to the table with public entities to collaborate, share, and connect broadband resources to rural residents.

Under Rural Leadership, the GRPB:

1 Committed to encouraging input and engagement from all board members about the industry or organization they represent on the GRPB.

2. Recommended that the governor and his staff consider qualified applications from candidates of all ages when making appointments to state boards and committees.

3. Recommended that the GOED and the GRPB identify rural “next generation” leaders and highlight their accomplishments and service at GRPB meetings, the Utah Rural Summit, the GOED Rural Day on the Hill, and the

ORD quarterly newsletter, etc.

a. We are pleased to report that the GRPB recognized and awarded Paul Hill, USU Extension Professor, and program director was awarded the “Next Generation Leaders” award at the 2020 Rural Day On the Hill.

b. We are pleased to report that the Utah Rural Summit recognized Utah Rural Innovators for the impact on Rural

Utah during 2020.