1. Breaking out of Poverty in Rural Utah

2. What is Rural Utah
Utah is experiencing significant growth—population projections suggest the state will double to over six million residents by However, the vast majority of anticipated growth is focused on the Wasatch Front and surrounding counties, Washington County, and Cache County; rural counties project little growth.
Rural Counties with no city over 50,000 and that are not significantly affected by urban growth.
Frontier refers to the most remote end of that continuum (in some states the wilderness designation is considered most remote),11 persons per square mile.

3. Rural Utah
Rural counties make up less than 10 percent of Utah’s population. On the whole, rural counties also have a much slower growth rate (both in real terms and as a percentage of total population) than their urban and transitional counterparts. This trend is anticipated to continue with an estimated median growth of 48 percent in rural counties, 73 percent in urban counties, and 152 percent in transitional counties through 2060.

4. Four Types of Rural and Frontier Areas
Amenity Rich Areas
Recreation, Health Care Access, Education, Community Engagement, Social Capital, Civic Infrastructure
Declining Resource Dependent Areas
Changes in Economy, Out Migration, Increasing Poverty
Transitioning Areas with Amenities
Reducing Separation of Community and Social and Civic Infrastructure
Chronically Poor Communities
Challenges are Enormous, Long-Term Underinvestment, Legacy of Poverty, Low Education Levels, Broken Civic Institutions, Do NOT Experience Inclusion, Civic Culture, etc.

5. Poverty in Rural Utah Carbon County 15.5% Emery County 12%
Grand County 17%
San Juan County 28.4% (Native American Population)
Southeastern Utah’s total population is a little over 55,000
Southeastern Utah covers 17,432 square miles, average of 5.25 people per square mile

6. Factors Contributing to Poverty in Rural Utah
Outmigration
Young Adults leave rural Utah, adding to an unskilled labor force
Chronic Underinvestment
Low-education, weak or non-existent community institutions and an inherent lack of capacity are especially hard on low-income residents.
Lack of Adequate Resources to Participate in Society
Participation is key, people in poverty do not have the resource to participate-this creates a setting of institutions not being accountable and causes opportunities to be minimized.
Lack of Civic Culture
Trust, Investment in community and all income classes NOT participating together

7. Challenges to Address
Isolation and remoteness make it hard to implement programs
Small social worlds mean family stigma can have real consequences; addiction (mental health issues)
Broken social fabric and community institutions
Broken local government
Old patterns and systems based on traditional economies no longer work
The families that “run” things go unchallenged

8. Creating Positive Change
Support working families
Invest in young children and connect youth to the mainstream
Encourage “outside” programs to invest in area
Encourage work and make it a living wage with benefits and a career path
Encourage community “pride”
Diverse mental health options
Mentoring/Creating intentional friendships
Grow existing broadband (Fiber) network

9. Circles
Based upon the book “Bridges out of Poverty” by Ruby Payne, Phillip DeVol and Terie Smith
Mental Models
Hidden Rules
Language
Resources
No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship—Dr. James Comer
When we judge ourselves against how others are doing, we are positioning ourselves on the ladder of social class. Economic class is different, it’s about how stable our life is. Looking at economic class in a nonjudgmental framework allows us to respect one another and evaluate the resources and choices available to us that may not be available to others. This work is based on the premise that everyone should have the resources to envision and develop a positive future story.

10. Future in Design Curriculum: Creating Sustainable Lifestyles
Youth Program: Coding & Design
Young Adults Program
Phase 1 : Personal and Professional Development
Phase 2: Possible career in manufacturing with Blacksmith International

11. Rural Online Initiative
Created through legislative funding and Utah State University Extension
Offer online courses to develop skills
Offer living wage jobs through competitive remote jobs
Address strengthening the rural economies and diversifying the economy

12. Opioid Crisis
Addressing transportation needs for people with addiction issues
Working with drug court to continue in Circles program for intentional friendships
Transitioning out of addiction to sobriety with opportunities to increase skill development in programs, such as Future in Design and Rural Online Initiative
Connecting with community partnerships
Offering more homeless funding for people in crisis

13. Following Up Continue to diversify the economy offering living wages
Continue investing in youth
Continue embracing technical careers
Continue funding for programs successfully moving people out of poverty (above the federal poverty level of 200%)
Continue partnerships “outside of the region”
Continue having discussions with politicians

14. Thank You
Geri Gamber
Executive Director