Gov. Spencer J. Cox is a husband, father, farmer, recovering attorney, and Utah’s 18th governor. Since taking the oath of office on Jan. 4, 2021, Gov. Cox has secured funds for affordable housing, promoted suicide prevention and mental health resources and implemented water conservation and infrastructure planning. He also signed early education and workforce program funding, launched the new Utah Sustainable Health Collaborative, and expanded opportunity for women, diverse communities and those living in rural parts of the state.
“Utah's economy is thriving. We are committed to fostering economic development throughout the state, ensuring that success extends well beyond the Wasatch Front. .” - Governor Gary R. Herbert
In his 2017 State of the State address, Governor Herbert challenged Utah businesses to create 25,000 jobs throughout rural Utah in the next four years. This initiative brings partners from all corners of the state to engage with rural communities and explore new economic development opportunities.
The overall goals of the initiative are far reaching and significant. One of these goals is to help communities clear roadblocks that are impeding economic progress, whatever they may be. Not all of Utah’s communities are experiencing the same challenges. One community may be struggling with lack of employment opportunities while another may be suffering from insufficient infrastructure. Locally driven solutions are needed for the unique challenges.
Governor Herbert spent several months meeting with representatives from each rural county to discuss incentives, grants, funding opportunities, resources, and each county’s strategy to grow and diversify their local economy.
The governor wanted buy-in from both the public and private sector on the 25k initiative. To get business leaders on board, he met with them and issued a new challenge: Add a rural component to their existing job growth strategy. While hiring people from off the Wasatch Front to work remotely may not have seen realistic to business owners before, it is actually a great way to find skilled workers and provide jobs in areas that need them. Remote employment is becoming significantly more feasible as time goes on, and in many circumstances it is creating greater affordability all around. Rural communities can significantly benefit from this business model. Of course, this isn’t the only solution.
This year, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development recognized 25 businesses (one for each rural county) with the 2018 Rural Businesses of the Year Award for for outstanding achievement, growth, impact in their community, job creation and innovation. The recipients are:
Utah is pulling out all the stops to improve the economic health of our rural communities. Governor Herbert is committed to ensuring all communities in Utah witness equitable growth and opportunity. The Herbert administration truly is committed to representing the entire state of Utah.