Summary of Current Issues and Policy Matters Relating to Rural Economic Development

There are several pressing issues that face rural Utah during these unprecedented times. The GRPB highlighted four issues deserving of special attention during the current COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis.

Workforce Development

Economic development is an ongoing goal for the GRPB and for other organizations focused on serving rural Utah. Many board members noticed the need to target workforce development in rural Utah to further rural economic development. Rural Utahns are willing to work hard and shore up their communities, but there is a limited pool of mentors and programs from which they can draw. Economic development will be accelerated if rural workforces are given better access to mentors, training and chances to learn new skills. Traditional economic development efforts need to continue. Still, their effectiveness will be enhanced by an additional focus on workforce development, especially if economic hardship necessitates greater flexibility and movement from both rural and urban employees alike.

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is usually tied to booming metropolitan areas and the increasing costs of living in urban centers. However, the lack of affordable housing in rural areas can have an exacerbating effect on communities and families. When housing is limited, growth and expansion are curtailed, and vital services can be lost. GRPB members have witnessed many instances where healthcare providers and employers have passed over rural communities because of their lack of affordable housing. Affordable housing can vary from town to town, especially in areas with significant tourism and seasonal employees. Increasing or improving affordable housing must be balanced with local job opportunities and growth. It is crucial housing is not forgotten as a part of overall economic development.

Rural Utilities

Specific GRPB white papers also examined ongoing efforts in developing utility services to rural towns and neighborhoods. Utilities provide a base foundation of security and good quality of life for rural Utahns. During economic crises, like the current pandemic situation, more and more families face financial hardship and unemployment. Cheaper and more widely available utilities will result in lower costs for rural residents. The GRPB hopes to continue to serve rural Utah effectively, and further development of rural utilities would focus that service on the families and individuals comprising Utah’s rural communities.

Rural Broadband

Access to the internet has become vital in recent months. Rural communities, including Native American tribal communities, are largely cut off from reliable broadband access in Utah. Dependable internet connections are crucial for economic development as well as education efforts in rural Utah. High-paying tech jobs can be performed entirely from home, as long as employees can get online and meet with coworkers and clients virtually. When so many more jobs have been moved online, and rural counties experience severe unemployment, broadband access can act as an economic lifesaver for rural Utahns.

Entire school districts are currently unable to guarantee in-person teaching during the upcoming school year. While many schools can rely on virtual classrooms and assignments to support the teachers educating Utah’s students, rural schools cannot provide those same resources to students who do not have high-speed connections at home. Rural communities are at risk of missing out on educating students for an indefinite length of time. Increased broadband access, affordability, and household adoption would dramatically improve students’ learning opportunities during the ongoing public health crisis.