Our Work
Impact, by the numbers
Since UTRGA's program was first launched at the Utah Association of Counties in 2019, our work has helped drive more than $1 billion in private capital investment into communities across Utah — turning technical financing expertise into real infrastructure, redevelopment, and jobs on the ground.
50+
Communities Served
25
Redevelopment Areas Created
1000+
Jobs Created
What This Work Looks Like
UTRGA partners directly with counties, cities, regional development organizations, and investors to identify strategic projects and put private and public financing tools to work. Recent collaboration with the Southeastern Regional Development Agency is one example — working alongside regional partners to identify and advance strategic projects for that part of the state.
Case Studies
Carbon County: Anchoring a Corporate Headquarters
The challenge: A growing advanced manufacturing employer was weighing where to expand and establish its corporate headquarters — a decision that could bring hundreds of jobs and significant new investment to whichever community won the project.
The approach: UTRGA worked to secure both state and local incentives to make Carbon County the winning location, including a new Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) with the county to provide local incentive support.
The result: $21.5M secured through the State of Utah's Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (EDTIF) program, paired with $21.5M in local incentives through the new CRA — a combined package expected to generate 300 new jobs and more than $1 billion in revenue growth. UTRGA is now working on a follow-on incentive package to support further expansion and workforce housing to sustain the growth.
Wasatch Front: Retaining a Major Employer Through Relocation
The challenge: A long-standing Wasatch Front manufacturer needed to consolidate operations from two aging 500,000 sq. ft. facilities into a single, modern location — a move that put its continued presence in the county at risk if the right site and financing didn't come together.
The approach: UTRGA secured an incentive from the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) to make the consolidation work in-county, including a guaranteed cost difference between the new building's owner and the company to bridge the gap.
The result: The company relocated into a single 1,000,000 sq. ft. facility, backed by a $400,000 UIPA cost difference. The company was retained in Salt Lake County, and the project secured $150,000,000 in new capital investment.
Statewide: Building the Playbook for Opportunity Zone Investment
The challenge: Utah needed a clear, practical guide to help counties and communities understand how to use Opportunity Zone designation and other incentive tools to attract capital into underserved areas — turning a complex federal program into something local leaders could actually put to use.
The approach: Funded by the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), UTRGA's team worked in partnership with Sorenson Impact and the Utah Association of Counties to advise on Opportunity Zone legislation, selection, and strategies for directing capital to the areas that need it most. The resulting guide lays out a practical, six-step process — from planning for community impact and building the right team, to understanding investors and connecting them to local projects — so leaders have a repeatable playbook rather than a one-off effort.
The result: Published in September 2022 as the "Rural Opportunity Zone and Recovery Playbook," the guide features more than a dozen successful case studies of community-led investment projects from across Utah and the country, including the historic Union Block Building revival in Brigham City and the Intermountain Electronics expansion in Price, Utah. The work earned national recognition, including hosting now-HUD Secretary Scott Turner at the publishing event in Brigham City.
Statewide: Structuring Community Investment in Energy Infrastructure
The challenge: Utah communities weighing large-scale solar and battery storage projects needed a way to capture the long-term economic benefit of that investment without overcommitting local tax dollars up front.
The approach: UTRGA advised on 1.4 GW of energy projects — a blend of solar and battery storage — negotiating each community's level of investment through tax incentives, with the goal of minimizing community cost while maximizing financial upside.
The result: Secured new tax revenue for local school districts, counties, and special service districts, turning large-scale energy development into a direct, ongoing benefit for the communities hosting it.
Ready to explore what’s possible for your community?
Looking for more details or ready to connect? Head over to our For Communities page to explore further, or visit our Contact Us page to get right to work.