Vernal’s Innovation Hub

How One Rural Utah Community Successfully Opened a Co-Working and Innovation Center During an Economic Downturn

The Innovation Hub in Vernal announced its grand opening in early February 2021. The Hub attracts co-workers, online rural workers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and business networking and will diversify the Uintah Basin economy by inspiring and incubating local talent.

The Innovation Hub evolved from idea to completion despite a downturn in the local economy. Uintah County currently has the highest unemployment rate in Utah, with 11% unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic and the reduction of oil and gas industries.

The Hub started three years ago when about 20 community leaders joined together to take a significant step in diversifying an economy heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry. A committee was formed representing 12 area entities in addition to small tech businesses and entrepreneurs. The group recognizes the Basin’s future economy must incrementally move to non-energy production job creation by targeting online workforce opportunities, small business creation, and technologybased businesses. Uintah County Commissioner Bart Haslem said, “This has been a great project to be a part of. The resources that we are making available to the community can help change our economy in a very positive way.”

The vision for a Co-Working and Entrepreneur Center received a significant boost in June 2019 when the Governor’s Office of Economic Development solicited grant applications for rural coworking and online innovation centers. The Uin-Tech Committee submitted a grant with renderings and received $223,000 toward the construction. With additional funds from the county, city, and Strata Networks (the Basin’s high-speed fiber provider), the Hub underwent a major remodel.

The Innovation Hub is located on Main Street in a former two-story city police department building, vacated nine years ago. The renovation project was designed and constructed by Vernal City and Uintah County building facility employees to reduce cost. The grant funds were used for construction materials, railings, network, wifi, finishings, and furnishings.

The Hub is nearly complete with 7,000 square feet of workspace and networking areas. It consists of shared office areas, two conference rooms, an event/training room, flex space, a podcast room, phone booths, and a break room. The Hub boasts a 1GB internet connection with impressive download and upload speeds.

Membership at the Hub is tiered similar to other co-working spaces: private office ($199 a month), dedicated desk ($99 a month), flex desk ($49 a month), community member, and daily pass ($5). Access to the center is 24/7 for members with a phone app called Proximity. Existing and established businesses are not eligible for private offices.

The Hub is currently adding members with all five private offices rented. As the center nears completion, promotional materials will boost the center’s exposure and what it offers to small start-ups and the local economy.

The Hub’s development is a prime example of partnerships between state and local entities to accomplish a community goal.

More information about Vernal’s Innovation Hub is found at vernalinnovationhub.com.