Planning to Hire in Rural Utah? Don’t Overlook the REDI Grant

Author: Mike Torgerson, Tax Partner

Planning to grow your team in rural Utah? What if your next hire could qualify your business for thousands of dollars in state incentives? 

As 2026 moves toward its final months, many business owners are beginning to think about year-end tax planning. This is an important time to review your tax position, anticipate potential liabilities, and make strategic decisions before December 31. 

But tax planning is not the only opportunity worth considering before year-end. 

For businesses operating in rural Utah, planned hiring may open the door to financial incentives through the state’s Rural Employment Development Incentive (REDI) Grant program. The key is understanding the requirements before you hire. 

What Is the REDI Grant?

The Rural Employment Development Incentive Grant (REDI) is administered by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and is designed to encourage job creation in rural areas of the state. 

Qualifying rural Utah businesses may be eligible to receive grants of approximately $4,000 to $6,000 for each new qualifying employment position they create. 

For a growing business, that can make planned expansion even more valuable. However, there are several requirements employers should understand. 

The Most Important Rule: Apply Before You Hire

Timing matters. 

Businesses must contract with the state before hiring employees for positions they intend to qualify for the REDI Grant. If you are considering adding team members, it is worth exploring eligibility before extending an offer or making the hire. 

Other key requirements include: 

• The business must maintain its baseline number of full-time employees. 

• New positions must be full-time and work at least 30 hours per week. 

• Compensation must be at least 100% of the applicable county’s average annual wage. 

• The qualifying employment must be maintained for at least 12 months. 

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity provides additional information about eligibility, program requirements, and application windows. 

Make Hiring Part of Your Year-End Planning

Year-end planning should be about more than calculating what you may owe next spring. It is an opportunity to look ahead. 

Are you planning to hire? Expand operations? Make significant purchases? Change your business structure? Are there tax credits or state incentives that should be considered before you take action? 

Having these conversations before year-end gives your advisors more opportunities to help you plan proactively rather than simply report what has already happened. 

And if your rural Utah business expects to add employees, consider reviewing the REDI Grant requirements before making those hires. A little planning now could help ensure you do not unintentionally miss an opportunity available to your business. 

How Can Squire Help?

If Squire has not previously assisted you with year-end tax planning, now is a good time to start the conversation. Our tax advisors can help you evaluate your 2026 tax position, identify potential planning opportunities, and reduce the likelihood of surprises when filing season arrives. Contact us at info@squire.com for more information. 

About Squire

Squire is an audit, tax, and business advisory firm with offices and teams across the Mountain West. With 50+ years of experience, we provide outsourced CFO and controller support, bookkeeping, payroll, sales tax, transaction support, ERP implementation and technology integration—helping businesses operate efficiently, stay compliant and achieve their financial goals. For more information, visit www.squire.com.  

The information contained in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice. The information may not be applicable to your specific circumstances. You should consult with a qualified professional before taking any action or making any decision based on this information.