Cedar City, UT (October 7, 2025) — Recruiting businesses to rural areas takes more than a compelling sales pitch—it takes infrastructure, collaboration, and a clear vision for what communities want to become.
At this year’s One Utah Summit, leaders from across the state gathered to discuss how rural regions can prepare for meaningful economic growth during a breakout session titled “How to Level Up Your Community for More Effective Recruitment: Unlocking Logistics and Beyond.” Moderated by Scott Wolford with the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), the panel featured Mike Miller, Senior Vice President and Rail Services Leader at Savage; Karen Doherty, Mountain Pacific Region Executive at WSP; Commissioner Clinton Painter of Juab County; and Holly Sweeten with the Office of Congressman Burgess Owens.
Readiness Is Built, Not Claimed
Panelists agreed that successful recruitment begins with readiness—and that readiness comes from alignment. “The most powerful signal of readiness,” said WSP’s Karen Doherty, “is a unified community—local government, business leaders, educators, and residents moving toward the same vision.”
That unity, she explained, must be paired with a plan that connects infrastructure investment to long-term goals. “Infrastructure planning isn’t just technical—it’s how communities tell investors they’re serious.”
Savage’s Mike Miller echoed that sentiment, noting that private companies look for clear signals of local commitment. “Communities that invest in infrastructure first—rail, utilities, permitting—send a clear message: we’re ready for business.”
Local Partnerships Drive Real Impact
Commissioner Clinton Painter shared Juab County’s success story with Ash Grove Cement, which is doubling its local operations with support from the Utah Inland Port Authority. “Every day, 3,000 people leave Juab County for work,” he said. “When they go, their dollars go too. Our goal is to build a community where they can stay.”
Painter emphasized that trust and relationships form the foundation for sustainable development. “Economic development works when there’s confidence between business and local government. We can’t just chase big companies—supporting small businesses, the ones that coach the soccer teams and sponsor the schools, is just as important.”
Infrastructure and Logistics as Catalysts
The discussion underscored the critical role of logistics in rural competitiveness. From rail and truck access to permitting and workforce housing, panelists described how local preparation determines investment outcomes. “We look for the most efficient way to move products,” said Miller. “When rail is possible, it’s the default—it’s good economics and good for the environment.”
For UIPA’s Scott Wolford, logistics is more than a technical term—it’s a strategic tool. “The Port Authority model only works by invitation,” he explained. “That partnership-first approach ensures every project reflects local priorities. We start with local economic development, and the logistics strategy follows.”
The Role of Federal Collaboration
Representing the federal perspective, Holly Sweeten described how national programs can be leveraged to fill resource gaps in rural areas. “Federal programs matter most when they close the gaps—in infrastructure, workforce, and access to capital—that hold rural communities back,” she said. “When communities hit that fork in the road, the inland port model helps them grow on their own terms, not at the expense of who they already are.”
A Shared Vision for Rural Growth
From workforce housing in Gunnison to infrastructure investments in Juab County, the panel highlighted that readiness is not a single project—it’s a process of aligning vision, infrastructure, and opportunity.
“When communities align vision with practical tools—strong permitting, ready utilities, and logistics connections—investment follows,” said Wolford. “That’s how rural Utah moves from potential to progress.”
Published: 10/07/25
Author: Kaitlin Felsted