Registration NOW OPEN for the Tourism Business Development Workshop, August 11-12, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah.
Discover innovative strategies to leverage Utah's exceptional star gazing and farm experiences.

Additional Funding & Resources

This continually updated list includes non-UOT facilitated grant opportunities, educational materials, and events for general economic development, business and industry development, and support.

Agritourism Business Planning Series	Resource	Interested in creating a business plan for your agritourism operation? The Agritourism Business Planning Series will walk through each of the sections of the AgPlan for Agritourism resource to help you develop your business plan. Each week, a different session is featured at no charge. Attend as many of the below Tuesday sessions as you'd like.	DeeDee LeMier Extension Educator, Community Economics & Tourism University of Minnesota [email protected]
Roots to Revenue: Making Agritourism Work for Your Farm	Resource	This new publication, by NCAT Agriculture Specialists Gabriella Soto-Velez and Hakeem Holmes, walks farmers through implementing an agritourism enterprise that helps consumers reconnect with the source of their food and learn to appreciate agriculture.

Banking on Women - Fall Cohort	Resource	If you are a woman in Utah looking to grow a small business, this is for you! This 15-week program is packed full of learning, collaboration, and growth for you and your small business. Made possible by Synchrony, this entrepreneurship program has changed the lives of hundreds of women since its inception in 2010. With a curriculum crafted by the amazing team at Westminster University, you won’t regret taking this step for your future.	Applications close July 6 at Midnight
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program	Scholarship-based educational program	Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses has helped entrepreneurs across the country grow their business for over a decade by offering a practical business training program, access to capital providers, and personalized support services. Now, they are expanding, bringing this best-in- class training program to predominantly rural states across America. Small business owners from Utah are encouraged to apply today. Classes are delivered in-person and online. All costs are fully covered by the Goldman Sachs Foundation.	Applications due July 16, 2025 Class begins October 27, 2026 Class ends January 23, 2026 Contact: [email protected]
Start Up State $500 Get Started Grant	Grant	The Get Started: Business Idea Challenge awards up to $500 to help founders start or advance their businesses. Startup State of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity has partnered with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah to launch Get Started statewide. Get Started is open to all Utah residents 18 and older. Provides non-equity funding, meaning no parties involved will require or ask for equity or partial ownership of businesses. Aims to help you start or advance your business. Participants set achievable, short-term milestones—such as idea validation, prototyping, or marketing—to complete within 30–90 days after receiving funding.	500 Ongoing Applications are due by the first Wednesday of every month, and the live pitch events occur on the third Wednesday. [email protected]
Amber Grants	Grant	WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams. Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they've also expanded their grant-giving to include “Startup Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as three “$25,000 Year End Grants.”	$10,000 - $25,000 Ongoing
HerRise Micro-Grant	Grant	The Yva Jourdan Foundation, which is the nonprofit division of HerSuiteSpot, offers a program that grants $1,000 per month to a small business owned by a woman of color. Here's how it works: Note: there is a $10 application fee Must be a business 51% owned by women of color Business must currently be registered in the US Must be an independent, product or service oriented for-profit; non-profits, franchise, direct seller, authorized reseller or independent consultant are not eligible	1000 Ongoing Grants are awarded monthly
Utah Microloan Fund Loan	Grant	Thinking about applying for a small business loan? Join the UMLF Loan Orientation every Tuesday at 9 AM on Zoom to learn about their funding options, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. Whether you need capital for equipment, inventory, marketing, or cash flow, these $10,000 loans can provide the boost your business needs to grow and succeed. Get the funding and support to take your business to the next level!	$10,000 Loans Ongoing Orientation is every Tuesday @ 9:00 am via Zoom 801-746-1180
Utah Microloan Fund - Class Library	Resource	Whether you are just starting out or are trying to take your business to the next level, the Utah Microloan Fund Library has got you covered. UMLF's library includes classes on: Financials Marketing - Social Media - E-Commerce Business Strategy & Planning Hiring & HR And so much more!
Hello Alice	Resource	This is a free online platform to find grants for small business owners, you must sign up for an account to access it.

EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program	Grant	Submit a proposal to advance general economic development related to equity, workforce development and climate change resiliency so that investments can benefit everyone for decades.	Ongoing
Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity	Resource	Grants for Utah businesses and government entities are listed here as they become available.
GOEO's Community Data Profiles	Resource	Profiles include a detailed summary of county employment, business, population, and household information.

Understanding & Managing Short-Term Rentals

Education

The GNAR Academy has launched a new course, "Understanding & Managing Short-Term Rentals," aimed at equipping gateway community leaders with knowledge about the STR industry, its trends, and the development of balanced policies and regulations. The course is relevant for community planners, elected officials, and concerned community members seeking to understand and manage short-term rentals in their areas. Each lesson focuses on a key aspect of STR understanding and management within gateway communities.

Ongoing

[email protected]

Utah Trail Network (A UDOT Program)	Funding & Planning Resources	UDOT intends to honor the comprehensive planning work that has already been done across the state while creating space for municipalities to imagine new, critical connections that might not yet be planned.	[email protected]
Outdoor Recreation Initiative	Funding	The Outdoor Recreation Initiative is a locally-led funding program created by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation to support the Utah Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan. Using regional recreation councils, the ORI program works with local communities to support large-scale recreation infrastructure development, priority land acquisition, recreation planning, feasibility studies, and NEPA support.

View our additional Grant webpages:

EDA ARPA Grants
To boost the recovery of the tourism industry, the Economic Development Administration allocated $750 million as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Utah was granted $3,768,641 in September 2021, which has been invested in thirty-one subgrantee projects statewide and six key initiatives. These funds are helping to strengthen Utah’s tourism and support local communities

Co-Operative Marketing Program Grants
Partner with the Utah Office of Tourism to enhance your out-of-state marketing with up to $250,000 in matching funds. Eligible organizations can allocate a portion of these funds to in-state marketing, promoting your project while strengthening Utah's brand.