The Rural County Grant is designed to empower rural county governments to manage their own unique economic development opportunities and to take responsibility for planning, projects, and activities that will lead to improved economies. The grant is intended to address economic development needs, which may include: 

• Business recruitment, development, and expansion;
• Workforce training and development; and
• Infrastructure, industrial building development, and capital facilities improvements for business development. 

Rural counties in the State of Utah of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class are eligible to apply for the Rural County Grant. A rural county may receive grant funding up to $200,000 annually. Funds are distributed each fiscal year to rural counties that meet the qualifying requirements listed below.

QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS

• A rural county must form and maintain a functioning County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board (CEO Board)
• The county must have complied with annual reporting and accounted for RCG funds distributed to them for use during the previous fiscal year. Annual reporting is due no later than September 1 of each year.
• No later than October 1, the county must submit a formal application each fiscal year that includes a description of its anticipated economic development projects and activities, as approved by the county legislative body and based upon the CEO Board’s advice and recommendations.

Requirements for completing the annual report and instructions for applying for the Rural County Grant are listed in the resources section below.