Utah Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) Grant

The Utah Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) Grant is a state-level cash grant program administered by the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO). It is designed to reward businesses that create new full-time jobs in rural Utah counties and small cities or towns.

Under this program, businesses can receive between $4,000 and $6,000 for each new job created, with a cap of up to $250,000 per applicant per fiscal year. To qualify, the new positions must pay at least 100% of the county average wage and must be retained for a minimum of 12 months. Certain industries are excluded from eligibility, including construction, retail, staffing, and public utilities.

This grant matters to small-business owners expanding operations in rural Utah because it directly offsets the cost of hiring by providing cash per new position created, rather than requiring repayment like a loan. Applications are accepted quarterly, meaning businesses have multiple opportunities throughout the year to apply as they add staff.

Because funding programs like this can change year to year, business owners should confirm the current award amounts, open application rounds, and detailed eligibility requirements directly with GOEO before applying. As of 2026, the program's structure is as described, but applicants are encouraged to verify details at the official state site listed below to ensure accuracy before committing to hiring plans tied to this incentive.