Office of Rural Development
OFFICE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
U.C.A. 63N-4-101 The Office of Rural Development (ORD) is dedicated to facilitating business growth and economic vitality in Utah’s rural communities. We accomplish this by providing grants and incentives to rural businesses and by partnering with local governments and other organizations to support economic growth activities.
FY 2016 Summary
“BEAR Blitz.” ORD visited all 25 rural counties in one month, including counties not currently participating in the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) program. The purpose of these face-to-face meetings is to gain insight into each county’s economic development goals and objectives and to discuss how to best utilize the available ORD programs. Train the Trainer. In FY 2016, ORD hosted six regional training events designed to teach rural economic development directors, BEAR outreach specialists and local elected officials about the resources available to small businesses in Utah. More than 200 attended these events. Rural Legislative Day. This annual event was co-sponsored by the Utah Association of Counties. It allowed rural Utah residents to mingle with legislators and other state officials, hear updates on current legislation, and interact with other rural leaders. Familiarization Tours. ORD organized five rural familiarization tours in FY 2016. ORD, GOED management and other state department directors joined the lieutenant governor in meeting with local elected officials, business leaders and community members to discuss projects and challenges around economic development. Economic Development Planning. In an effort to encourage all rural communities to have an updated economic development plan, ORD is partnering with EDCUtah, Western Rural Development and the Rural Planning Group to provide affordable planning options. EDCUtah and ORD developed a “building blocks of economic development” readiness tool which has been introduced in six counties.
Dagget Ambassadors in Training 34
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • 2016 Annual Report • www.business.utah.gov
