$399,804 in CARES Act funding to boost rural Utah Opportunity Zones

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $399,804 grant to the Sorenson Impact Center at the University of Utah and the Utah Association of Counties to create a rural Opportunity Zone and Recovery Playbook that will support local efforts to drive capital investment into Utah communities. This EDA grant, to serve 16 Utah Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zones, will be matched with $150,000 in state investment to create a more equitable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Trump administration is excited to support efforts by the Sorenson Impact Center at the University of Utah and the Utah Association of Counties to establish the Rural Opportunity Zone and Recovery Playbook, which will be utilized by communities in rural Utah and across America to maximize the transformative impact of Opportunity Zones,” said Scott Turner, executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. “The playbook will assist five Utah Economic Development Districts serving 21 counties in providing dedicated training and support to rural Utah counties looking to diversify their economies and increase their resiliency.”

“This funding will provide support to rural communities in Utah whose businesses are struggling to retain their employees and keep their doors open,” said U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney. “I appreciate the continued work of Secretary Ross, who administered this funding which we authorized as a part of the CARES Act in order to help communities recover from the impacts of this pandemic.”

The EDA said the project was made possible by the regional planning efforts of Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments, the Six County Association of Local Governments, the Five County Association of Governments, the Bear River Association of Governments and the Uintah Basin Association of Governments, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.