REDI

Center for Rural Development

The Center for Rural Development works with Utah’s rural counties, communities and businesses, providing economic development resources. The Center is the home of the Rural Opportunity Program and assists with other programs to help local governments and businesses grow and prosper.



What is the Rural Employment Development Incentive Grant?

The Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) grant is designed for businesses creating new high-paying jobs in rural Utah communities. The grant may be available to businesses creating new employment positions in rural counties or in *cities/towns with a population of 10,000 or less in Weber, Davis, and Utah counties. Cities and towns within Washington County, other than the City of St. George, qualify as rural locations for the REDI grant.

New jobs can be remote, online, in a satellite hub/office space, or physically located in the same county as the business. Based on the employee’s work location and rural residency, a business may receive up to $6,000 for each new position.

The REDI application will open quarterly for approximately two weeks at a time, one month after each calendared quarter. The application portal will open and close on the following dates:

  • Feb. 1 - 15, 2026
  • May 1 - 15, 2026
  • Aug. 1 - 15, 2026
  • Nov. 1 - 15, 2026


LEARN MORE





      Governor's Office of Economic Development Logo

Eligibility:

A business considering the REDI grant must apply for and receive approval through GOED in advance of creating any new position(s).

Newly created positions:

  • Will be filled by full-time employees
  • Will exist for at least 12 consecutive months
  • Will pay at least 100% of the county’s average wage
  • May not be within a business primarily engaged in construction, retail, staffing or public utilities

Incentives:

A business entity may qualify for up to $250,000 in REDI grants each year.

APPLY HERE

               Infographic on economic strategy for rural areas  




Potential Grant Amounts:

  • $4,000 for each new full-time employee position in a county where the average county wage is equal to or greater than the state average wage.

  • $5,000 for each new full-time employee position in a county where the average  county wage is between 85% and 99% of the state average wage.

  • $6,000 for each new full-time employee position in a county where the average county wage is less than 85% of the state average wage.