Rural Utah

Utah’s rural communities are the backbone of our state’s identity and a driving force behind our strong, diverse economy. From agriculture and energy to tourism, manufacturing, and natural resource stewardship — rural Utah plays an outsized role in shaping our state’s future. That’s why strategic investments in rural infrastructure, education, and economic development are so important. By expanding access to reliable transportation, broadband, workforce training, and local opportunities, we can ensure rural Utah not only remains strong but continues to grow and lead. 

Funding Highlights

  • $195 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program

    Supported health and healthcare in rural Utah, as part of a five-year nearly $1 billion investment

  • $30 million for rural district capital needs

    Supported construction of new schools, additions, and renovations in small school districts

  • $5.2 million for Rural Communities Opportunity Grant

    Empowered rural communities to take responsibility for economic development planning, projects, activities, and to manage their unique opportunities

  • $25 million for Rural Utah Film Incentive Program

    Expanded rural Utah film tax incentives (since 2024)

  • $5 million for Rural School Sports Facilities Grant Program

    Provided a one time grants to assist schools with athletic facility maintenance and improvement

  • $2 million for wildlife crossings

    Funded new structures to help animals safely navigate roads

  • $600,200 for rural Utah student initiatives

    Provided funds to help Utah's rural students access state-of-the-art STEM, skill development, and literacy research activities

  • $4.1 million for technical college expansions

    Increased capacity in high demand fields at Uintah Basin Technical College and Southwest Technical College

  • $5.3 million for the Brigham City Rail Project

    Improved mobility and expanded local economic development

  • $125 million for prison capacity expansion at Central Utah Correctional Facility

    Funding allocated to increase capacity at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison

  • $200 million for the Federal Rural Health Transformation Grant

    Provided rural Utah hospitals and clinics the resources to expand services, strengthen their workforce, and build a more resilient health care system

  • $9.9 million for rural Utah water investments

    - Contaminated Culinary Water Well Repair (Kane County) - Effluent Water Reuse Project (Iron County) - Pine Valley Reservoir Sedimentation Removal - Tremonton Water Development - Cache Valley/North Logan Fire Prevention and Water System Improvements

Recent Legislation

HB 36

2026

Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program

Created a pilot program to provide funding to rural schools to promote healthy physical lifestyle choices and improve student physical education, activity, and nutrition

HB 342

2026

Federal Grant Process Amendments

Created a legislative committee to oversee the disbursement of almost $1 billion in Rural Health Transformation Program federal funds over the next five years to improve the health of rural Utahns

HB 392

2026

District Court Amendments

Established panels of three judges representing different judicial districts across the state to hear constitutional lawsuits, rather than those cases always being decided by Salt Lake County-based judges

HB 431

2026

Wildlife Crossing Amendments

Created a dedicated wildlife and livestock crossing fund supported by a $2 million annual tax reallocation to bolster habitat connectivity and rural road safety.

HB 462

2025

Wildlife Crossing Amendments

Created the Rural School Sports Facilities Grant Program to fund the construction or refurbishment of sports facilities in rural public schools