About this programme
The Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) is a grant run by the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), through its Center for Rural Development, that supports business expansion in rural Utah by rewarding companies for creating new, well-paying jobs in economically developing areas.
Rather than an open subsidy, REDI ties funding directly to positions: it pays per qualifying new job, up to an annual cap per business.
How it works
Businesses can receive up to $6,000 per new qualifying position, based on where the employee works and where they live in relation to the rural area, with a cap of $250,000 in REDI grants per business per year.
Approval must happen before the new positions are created: a business applies, gets approved by GOEO, and only then creates the jobs.
The application window opens four times a year, for the first 15 days of February, May, August, and November.
Who can apply
The new position must be full-time, must exist for at least 12 consecutive months, and must pay at least 100% of the county's average wage.
The job must be located in an eligible rural area: any rural Utah county, a city or town of 10,000 residents or fewer within Weber, Davis, or Utah counties, or a Washington County location other than St. George. Remote, online, and satellite-office positions can qualify as long as they are tied to an eligible county.
Businesses primarily engaged in construction, retail, staffing, or public utilities are not eligible for REDI.
How to apply
- Apply during one of the four annual 15-day windows: February 1-15, May 1-15, August 1-15, or November 1-15.
- Wait for GOEO approval before creating the new position; positions created ahead of approval are not eligible.
- Use the application portal and guidance documents at business.utah.gov/rural/redi/.
Frequently asked
How much can a business receive per job?
Up to $6,000 per new qualifying position, depending on where the employee works and lives, with a total cap of $250,000 per business per year.
Can the job be remote?
Yes. Remote, online, and satellite-office positions can qualify as long as they are tied to an eligible rural area.
Do I need approval before hiring, or can I apply after creating the position?
Approval must come first. GOEO must approve the application before the business creates the new position.
Is my industry eligible?
Most industries are, but businesses primarily in construction, retail, staffing, or public utilities are excluded.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.