Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development presents new programs that can help small businesses with the challenges of staying open during Covid 19.

1. Utah Alliance for
Economic Development
July 16, 2020
A Presentation to:
By Ryan Starks and Kori Ann Edwards
Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development

2. Corporate Recruitment
https://business.utah.gov/uniquely-utah/targeted-industries/

3. Targeted Industries
In 2004-2005, GOED established the following
targeted industries (economic clusters):
1. Aerospace and Defense
2. Software and Information Technology
3. Financial Services
4. Life Sciences
5. Energy
6. Outdoor Products & Recreation
https://business.utah.gov/uniquely-utah/targeted-industries/

4. Targeted Industries 2.0
https://business.utah.gov/uniquely-utah/targeted-industries/
In 2020, GOED convened stakeholder meetings with
EDCUtah, DWS, USHE, and the Kem C. Gardner Institute
to re-examine the state’s cluster strategy. Our analysis
recommended focusing on the following industries
1. Aerospace and Defense
2. Advanced Manufacturing*
3. Software and Information Technology
4. Financial Services
5. Life Sciences and Healthcare*
6. Energy
7. Outdoor Products and Recreation

5. Utah Industry and
Innovation Center
As part of the Cluster 2.0 strategy, GOED restructured
the delivery of our targeted industries by combining the
cluster initiative with the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) office.
The SBIR is a function of the previous USTAR initiative
and is part of GOED’s Business Services team. Its
mission is to help Utah companies secure non-dilutive
research and development funding through federal grant
programs.
We rebranded the SBIR to now be called the
“Utah Industry and Innovation Center.”
https://business.utah.gov/utah-innovation-center

6. Utah Industry and
Innovation Center
Mary Cardon, Director Chanel Flores, Industry Director
https://business.utah.gov/utah-innovation-center
Linda Cabrales, Industry Director April Young Bennett, Industry Director
Aerospace and
Defense
Advanced
Manufacturing
Life Sciences and
Healthcare
Software and
Technology
Financial
Services

7. Office of Rural
Development (ORD)
Prior to the 2020 legislative session, ORD managed
the following programs:
• Rural Fast Track Grant (RFT) – for Businesses
• Rural Economic Development Incentive (REDI) – for Businesses
• Business Expansion & Retention (BEAR) – for Economic Development
Organizations
• Rural Co-working & Innovation Center Grant (RCIC) – (new from 2019
session) – for organizations & businesses
• Rural Rapid Manufacturing – for Businesses (new from 2019 Legislative
session)
• Enterprise Zone Program (EZ) - for Businesses
• EZ Non-Profit Program (EZ Non-profit) – for Non-Profit Organizations
• Recycling Zone (RZ) – for Businesses
• Targeted Business Tax Credit (TBTC) – for Businesses
• Utah Rural Jobs Program – for Businesses (Managed by Compliance
Dept.)
https://business.utah.gov/rural/

8. Office of Rural
Development (ORD)
As a result of changes made during the 2020
legislative session, the following programs were
eliminated:
• Enterprise Zone for non-profits
• Rural Fast Track Grant (RFT) – for Businesses
• Business Expansion & Retention (BEAR) – for Economic
Development Organizations
• Recycling Zone (RZ) – for Businesses (relocated to DEQ)
Additionally, significant changes were made to the Enterprise
Zone program for businesses.
https://business.utah.gov/rural/

9. Office of Rural
Development (ORD)
The ORD team now manages the following programs:
GRANTS:
• Rural County Grant (RCG) – SB 95 – for rural counties
• Rural Economic Development Incentive (REDI) Grant – for Businesses
• Rural Co-working & Innovation Center Grant (RCIC)
• Utah Main Street Pilot Program
TAX CREDITS:
• Enterprise Zone Program (EZ) (Modified for FY2021) - for Businesses
• Targeted Business Tax Credit (TBTC) – for Businesses
FINANCE PROGRAMS:
• Utah Rural Jobs Program – for Businesses
BROADBAND OUTREACH:
• Utah Broadband Advisory Council
https://business.utah.gov/rural/

10. Office of Rural
Development (ORD)
https://business.utah.gov/rural/
James Dixon, Sr. Program Manager Nan Anderson, Outreach Manager
Christopher Byrd, Rural Outreach InternRebecca Dilg, Outreach Manager

11. Opportunity Zones
Providing investors with opportunities to generate
lasting community impact
● Stimulates growth in economically
disadvantaged communities
● Enhances residents quality of life by increasing
Utah’s revenue base and improving
employment opportunities
● GOED partners with the Utah Association of
Counties and the Sorenson Impact Center
● 46 Opportunity Zones located throughout Utah
https://opportunityzones.utah.gov/

12. Business Resource
Centers (BRCs)
Due to funding cuts made during the 2020
legislative session, the Business Resource
Centers (BRC) funding was eliminated.
This funding supported the coordination of
business service providers, but it did not pay for
business counseling and outreach.
GOED will work closely with the SBDC network to
ensure that small businesses are being served.
https://business.utah.gov/brc

13. business.utah.gov/business-services/

14. Utah COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant – ‘Shop In Utah’
• $25 million
• To qualify for this “Shop In Utah” grant, businesses must offer a discount or other offer with an estimated value to consumers of at least 50% of
the grant amount
• GOED must award at least 75% of grant funds to Utah small businesses (companies with 250 or fewer full-time employees)
COVID-19 PPE Support Grant Program – ‘Safe In Utah’
• $5 million
• Provides grants to businesses to improve workplace safety for workers and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic through measures such
as PPE purchases, workplace redesigns, signage, and technology solutions that allow for distance working
• $100 per full-time equivalent employee, or the actual expenses a company incurs in making these health and safety adjustments
COVID-19 Commercial Rental Assistance Program – ‘ComRent’
• $40 million
• Grant providing rental relief to Utah small businesses that have lost revenue as a result of measures taken to minimize the public’s exposure to
COVID-19
• Grant award amount is based on revenue percentage loss and actual rent expense
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15. COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant – ‘Shop In Utah’
• $25 million – Application process will open at 9:00 A.M. on July 27, 2020
• To qualify for this “Shop In Utah” grant, businesses must offer a discount or other offer with an estimated value to
consumers of at least 50% of the grant amount
• Cap of $50,000 per eligible applicant
• Per business entity award (regardless of multiple locations)
Award Calculation
• The amount of a grant may not exceed the amount of the business entity’s revenue decline. Revenue decline will be
calculated:
• For a business entity that began operating before July 1, 2019, the sum of revenue for March through June 2019
compared to the sum of revenue for March through June 2020; or
• For a business entity that began operating on or after July 1, 2019, the business entity’s revenue for February
2020 multiplied by four compared to the sum of revenue from March through June 2020
• 75% of awards must go to businesses with less than 250 full-time equivalent employees for applications received
before August 31
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16. COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant – ‘Shop In Utah’ (cont.)
Program Eligibility Questions
• Did your business experience a revenue decline due to the public emergency related to COVID-19?
• Was your business in operation on March 1, 2020?
• Has your business received funding from the COVID-19 Cultural Assistance Grant Program (‘Create In Utah’)?
• Does your business have 250 or fewer full-time equivalent employees?
• Does your business have employees that are physically located in Utah?
• If awarded a grant, do you agree to provide a financial incentive that equals or exceeds 50% of the award amount for
individuals or businesses to make purchases from your business?
• Do you acknowledge that your business is required to keep records of the discounted goods and/or services and the
records may be subject to audit?
• How will the use of funds benefit the state economy?
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17. COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant – ‘Shop In Utah’ (cont.)
Documentation Requirements
• Completed and signed W-9
• Profit & Loss for March-June 2019 if business began operating before July 1,2019, or February 2020 Profit & Loss if
business began operating on or after July 1, 2019
• Profit & Loss for March-June 2020
• Plan including budget for offering a financial incentive for customers to make purchases; budget must also establish a
timeline of funds disbursement
Financial Incentive Timeline
The business recipient has to spend the CARES money and provide the incentive/benefit by December 30, 2020. The
goods/service need to be redeemed by June 30, 2021. The business could offer an incentive package that needs to be
“booked” on or before December 30, 2020, and the incentive needs to be redeemed on or before June 30, 2021.
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18. COVID-19 PPE Support Grant Program – ‘Safe In Utah’
• $5 million - Application process will open at 9:00 A.M. on July 20, 2020
• Provides grants to businesses to improve workplace safety for workers and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic through measures such as PPE
purchases, workplace redesigns, signage, and technology solutions that allow for distance working
• Cap of $50,000 per eligible applicant
• Per business entity award (regardless of multiple locations)
To be eligible for the program, applicants must
• Demonstrate that the business entity has incurred COVID-19 expenses or certify that the business entity will spend grant funds on COVID-19 expenses
• COVID-19 expenses include personal protection equipment, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, signage providing public health guidelines, technology upgrades
related to teleworking, or costs for office redesign to provide additional distance between individuals
• Describe to the office the business entity’s actual or anticipated cost to comply with public health guidelines on safely returning employees to work
Limitations
• The lesser of the amount of the business entity’s actual COVID-19 expenses; or $100 per full-time equivalent employee
• 75% of awards must go to businesses with less than 250 full-time equivalent employees for applications received before August 31
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19. COVID-19 PPE Support Grant Program – ‘Safe In Utah’ (cont.)
Documentation Requirements
• Completed and signed W-9
• Evidence of COVID-19 expenses incurred or an estimate of expenses that will be incurred prior to
December 31, 2020
Program Eligibility Questions
• Did your business experience a revenue decline due to the public emergency related to COVID-19?
• Was your business in operation on March 1, 2020?
• Does your business have 250 or fewer full-time employees?
• Does your business have employees that are physically located in Utah?
• Your business has incurred COVID-19 expenses and if awarded a grant, you agree to use the funds for
COVID-19-related expenses?
• Do you acknowledge that your business may be subject to audit?
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20. COVID-19 Commercial Rental Assistance Program – ‘ComRent’
• $40 million - Application process is open
• Provides rental relief grants to Utah small businesses who have lost revenue due to measures taken to minimize the public’s exposure to COVID-19.
• Cap of $15,000 per eligible applicant
• Cap goes up to $30,000 ($5,000 per location) for business entities with multiple locations
To be eligible for the program, applicants must
• Have a current lease on commercial property in the state of Utah
• Claim Utah as their principal place of business
• Have fewer than 100 full-time employees
• Demonstrate at least a 30% loss of gross monthly revenue after March 1, 2020, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Not received funds from the COVID-19 Agricultural Operations Grant Program (funded with federal CARES Act monies)
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21. COVID-19 Commercial Rental Assistance Program – ‘ComRent’ (cont.)
Documentation Requirements
• Signed W-9
• Current lease/rental agreement
• Documentation of most recent lease/rental payment
• Profit & Loss statement for the 4 week period of revenue baseline
• Profit & Loss statement for the 4 week period of revenue loss
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22. COVID-19 Commercial Rental Assistance Program – ‘ComRent’ (cont.)
• Restructured the revenue loss percentage adjustments from 50% and 70%, to 30% and 45%
• Removed the PPP award adjustment
• Extended from a single month’s rent to two months rent
• Removed unnecessary documentation requirements
• Maximum award raised from $10,000 to $15,000
• Entities with multiple locations: Maximum award increases to $30,000 ($5,000 per location)
• Adjusted small business definition from 100 employees maximum to 100 full-time employees
(40 hours per week = FTE)
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23. Grant Application Process
• Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis until funds are exhausted.
• Set up a user account if you have not already applied for a GOED incentive. Returning users can use the
same account.
• You’ll receive an email to proceed with the application.
• Fill in the application, upload required documentation (PDF preferred), and submit.
• After a review for eligibility and award amount, the application will be approved or rejected.
• If approved, an award email is sent, and a check is issued within 48 hours.
• If rejected, an email is sent. The application is identified as a ‘draft,’ with an explanation of missing
information and documentation.
visit: business.utah.gov/coronavirus
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24. Common Application Mistakes
• Failure to provide all required documentation; if a document is unavailable, attach a document stating why
• Document format:
• Name documents appropriately
• Size: Under 5mb each
• No password-protected documents
• PDF is the preferred format (Excel or Word is acceptable; no EPUB or files in Mac-based formats)
• Verify the W-9 is signed, has the correct address and matches the address provided in the application
• Know your business structure (parent entity is the applicant, DBA or other subsidiaries shouldn’t apply)
• Verify gross revenue baseline and gross revenue during the period of loss
• Carefully read the questions as they may determine your eligibility
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25. Customer Service
Chatbot (Virtual Agency Liaison: VAL 9000)
• Improves customer service by providing self-service options
• Queries database and gives real-time applicant status updates
• Reduces time between asking questions and getting answers
Expanded Personal Touch and Outreach
• New minority business liaison
• Assistance from University of Utah Hope Corps
• Leveraging existing partnerships
• Outsourced services
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26. Leveraging the New ‘In Utah’ Campaign
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27. Questions?
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