SJC Rural County Grant

San Juan County Rural County Grant Program (RCGP) Instructions

2027 Applications will be open in September 01, 2026 - November 30, 2026

Purpose/Introduction

The San Juan County Rural County Grant Program (RCGP) supports the growth and diversification of the local economy through direct investment in businesses and organizations. Funding is provided through the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) and administered by San Juan County.

The program is designed to strengthen economic opportunity, job creation, and community vitality across San Juan County by supporting projects that:

• Recruit, develop, or expand local businesses.
• Provide workforce training and development opportunities.
• Improve infrastructure and facilities that directly support business growth.

Grant Application Schedule

Application Opens: Tuesday, September 01, 2026, at 8:00 AM MST
Application Closes: Monday, November 4, 2026, at 11:55  MST

Award Notifications Issued: February 2026
Awardees Announced: March 12, 2027, during the San Juan County Business Basecamp Expo & Conference

Applications must be submitted online through the San Juan County Economic Development Form.
Each business or nonprofit may apply for only one project under this grant cycle.

If an applicant encounters an error during submission or needs to update information, they may resubmit their application using the same link. The most recently dated submission will be considered the official version for review.

Please note that the Economic Development Department cannot make corrections or edits to individual applications once they have been submitted; applicants are responsible for reviewing all information carefully prior to final submission.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be located in San Juan County and classified as:

• For-profit businesses
• Nonprofit organizations

Questions and Contact Information

For questions or assistance with the application process, contact the San Juan County Economic Development Office during business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST).

Phone: (435) 485-8502
Email: thansen@sanjuancountyut.gov

Grant Overview 

Join San Juan County Economic Development for a 2027 Rural County Grant Overview Session.

We will review application requirements, funding tiers, match expectations, and key updates for this funding cycle, and answer questions to help you prepare a complete and competitive application.

Virtual Session

Grant Support

Applicants are encouraged to utilize free technical assistance resources to strengthen their applications and prepare required documentation.

San Juan County partners with the following organizations to provide grant readiness and business support services:

• Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) – Financial planning, budgeting support, and infrastructure guidance
• Weber State University Wildcat MicroFund / Technical Assistance – Business planning, financial projections, and grant preparation support
• Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Business coaching, financial review, and operational planning

These sessions are designed to help business owners and nonprofit staff:

• Receive one-on-one guidance on draft applications.
• Review eligibility materials before submitting.
• Participation is free.

Tier Application 

The County uses a tiered funding structure to align grant opportunities with the size, stage of development, and economic impact potential of local businesses. This approach ensures resources are invested strategically and proportionally.

Each funding tier is evaluated independently using a tier-specific scoring system to ensure fairness among applicants at different business stages.

Applicants should select the tier that best matches the scale, readiness, and impact of their project. Projects will only compete within their selected tier.

Both cash and in-kind matches are accepted. In-kind contributions may include donated materials, volunteer labor, or the use of existing equipment or space, provided a clear and reasonable value is documented.

Tier 1: Seed Money, Equipment, and Small Project Grants
Grant Range: Up to $10,000 | Match Requirement: 10%
Tier 1 is designed for startups and small enterprises launching or growing early-stage projects. These funds help purchase essential equipment, materials, or marketing tools, or complete smaller-scale facility improvements that build long-term capacity.

Tier 2: Business Expansion or Revitalization Grants
Grant Range: $10,000 – $25,000 | Match Requirement: 20%
Tier 2 assists small- to mid-sized businesses seeking to expand, renovate, or improve operations. These projects often enhance Main Street visibility, revitalize existing commercial properties, or expand services that strengthen the local economy.

Tier 3: Large Business Growth Grants
Grant Range: $26,000 – $60,000 | Match Requirement: 20%
Tier 3 supports major business expansions, facility construction or upgrades, and projects that create new jobs or bring substantial economic return to the county.

Application Requirements

Complete Applications must include the following documentation:

• W-9 (completed and signed) – must match IRS records exactly
• Valid Business License (San Juan County, a local municipality, or Navajo Nation)
• For nonprofits: IRS Determination Letter
• Tier 3 applicants must submit a Profit & Loss Statement (prior and current year) or Statement of Activities (for nonprofits)
• Proof of Match — either cash or in-kind
  • Cash examples: bank statements, investor letters, other grant awards
  • In-kind examples: donated materials, volunteer labor, or equipment use

Optional (extra scoring points):

• Profit and Loss Summary, Balance Sheet, or Statement of Activities (for nonprofits)
• Letter(s) of Support from partners, beneficiaries, or community members
• Vendor quotes or cost estimates for project purchases

Both cash and in-kind matches are accepted. In-kind contributions may include donated materials, volunteer labor, or the use of existing equipment or space, provided a clear and reasonable value is documented.

Ineligible Projects or Expenses

Funding will not be awarded for:

• Projects outside San Juan County
• Routine operational costs (payroll, utilities, rent, etc.)
• Reimbursement for an already completed project.
• Projects lacking measurable ROI (such as job creation, tax growth, or business expansion) are generally ineligible.
  • Exception: Tier 1 (Seed Money) projects may not yet demonstrate measurable ROI, but will receive additional scoring points if they can show reasonable potential for job creation, business growth, or community impact.
• Applicants delinquent on taxes or without valid licenses
• Applicants with an active or unfinished San Juan County Rural County Grant project are not eligible to apply until all project work and reporting have been completed and approved.
• Applicants who have received two prior Rural County Grant awards may not apply for additional funding.
• Standalone exterior improvements such as fencing, concrete pads, or parking lot paving that are not directly tied to building functionality are not eligible expenses.

Examples of Eligible Projects

All Tiers:

• Construction or renovation of commercial buildings
• Equipment or machinery purchases
• Agricultural value-added production (processing, packaging, new market entry)
• Workforce development or skill-based training programs
• Projects introducing new industries or services to San Juan County

Tier 1 (Small Project Focus):

• Seed funding for startups
• Equipment or tool purchases
• Raw materials or supply acquisition
• Website or online sales setup
• Printed marketing or signage
• Exterior beautification and landscaping
• Minor facility improvements

Reporting Requirements

All grant recipients are required to provide ongoing updates on project progress and financial accountability.
Reports ensure transparency and help measure the impact of projects through job creation, infrastructure improvements, or business expansion.

Reporting Process:

• Mid-Year Report: Required (template provided)
• Final Report: Submitted upon completion or within 12 months of fund distribution, whichever comes first
• Presentation: Final reports must be presented to the Community & Economic Development (CED) Board at a scheduled meeting
• Documentation: Include project photos, invoices, and receipts related to approved expenses

Reports are submitted online and automatically go to Talia Hansen, Economic Development Manager, at thansen@sanjuancountyut.gov.

Documents & Resources

These resources will be available on Monday, September 01, 2026

• 2027 RCGP Application (Paper Version) – Use this document to review all questions before submitting online. (Note: Only online submissions will be accepted.)
• Budget Template (Excel) – Required for all applicants. Download, complete, and upload the official Excel template with your online application.
• W-9 Form – Required IRS form for award processing. Must be completed and signed if selected for funding.
• Eligibility & Disqualification Checklist – Outlines minimum qualification standards and helps applicants understand baseline eligibility requirements.
• Evaluation & Scoring Criteria – Details how applications are reviewed and scored, including tier alignment and economic or community impact.