Location: Green River, Utah

Problem: Green River lacked economic resources and capacity

Outcome: After applying RCAC’s Building Rural Economies (BRE) principles, the nonprofit Epicenter is better able to provide services, obtain development grants and help revive parts of the local economy

The city of Green River, like many western rural communities, lacks economic opportunities. Young people are leaving town, and wages are low. Residents and visiting workers face a lack of adequate, affordable housing. Main Street, once vibrant and alive, has struggled as businesses closed. Tourists heading to the nearby national parks (Arches and Canyonlands) tend to pull off Interstate 70 to fuel their cars and recreational vehicles at Green River gas stations, however, few stay to explore the recreational wonders and opportunities along the Green River and the adjacent San Rafael Swell wilderness area.

To improve the community’s economic outlook, RCAC worked with staff at the nonprofit organization Epicenter and with Green River’s citizens through the BRE initiative. BRE strategy concentrates on local resources, markets and opportunities, and then builds a network of leaders, entrepreneurs and support around these assets.

RCAC’s BRE staff helped Epicenter establish its goals to build local leadership, increase local rental housing, and to develop itself as a model for other rural communities. As an outgrowth of training with RCAC’s WealthWorks program in 2015, Green River’s Tamarisk Restaurant also explored ways to grow its business and expanded its lower level into boutique hotel rooms. In 2018, Epicenter was awarded an Enterprise Community Partners Architectural Rose Fellow, who started in January 2019 and will assist Epicenter build sustainable, inclusive, affordable housing.

RCAC helped Epicenter to work with the City of Green River to create a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District to fund and finance new businesses. Epicenter has recruited two new businesses to the area and expanded two existing businesses. Meanwhile, it has secured $116,604 in federal funding and $302,500 in state, city and private foundation funds. Epicenter’s achievements also earned it national attention when it was featured on the PBS News Hour last year.

Since its launch, BRE communities have created seven new businesses and 58 new business ventures; expanded seven existing businesses; expanded 24 existing business ventures; retained 10 existing businesses; created 94 new jobs; and retained 25 existing jobs.