ABOUT

Launched in December 2018, the Utah Rural Coordinating Council (RCC) is a grassroots initiative that seeks to better allocate time, resources, and strategies in rural Utah by increasing communication and collaboration with state and federal agencies, universities, and statewide public organizations.

Coordinated by the Utah Community Development Office, the RCC gathers on a quarterly basis. Together, we collaborate on ways to better share our resources and help rural Utah.  

Currently, the RCC is comprised of members from 30+ entities. 

RCC members are public sector and non-profit staff that interact with and travel to some of Utah's smallest communities. Within each of our roles, we find ourselves interacting with the same mayors, city councilors, and planning commissioners across the state. Because of this, we want to mitigate confusion by increasing our communication with one another, so that we can advocate for each other's resources and provide a greater service to rural Utah.

Under the Utah Community Development Office's Comprehensive Community Development framework, the RCC believes that community development is the spectrum of interconnected activities that foster community resiliency. This approach recognizes that each planning activity is connected and has influence on other focus areas. 

By coming together from different agencies, universites, and statewide organizations, our desire is to approach community development holistically. Each of us has certain funding, programs, and resources that enhance community resiliency. Having transportation alongside energy development, rural health next to tourism, and agriculture across from preservation, enables us to start conversations with multiple perspectives at the table.  

LEADERSHIP & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: A comprehensive community has informed citizens and civic leaders that make choices that are central to all components of community development.

INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE: A comprehensive community has optimal public services that ensure a high quality of life and promote productive infrastructure management in a fiscally responsible manner.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, & EDUCATION: A comprehensive community promotes the well-being of families and residents through providing accessible and quality health, social services, and education.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A comprehensive community requires a healthy economy with a diversity of industries and family sustaining job opportunities.

HOUSING: A comprehensive community requires a variety of housing options for people at all stages of life.

NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES: A comprehensive community has a strong sense of place - the emotional and physical attachment people have with the unique attributes and values of a place.