Program Director
Paul Hill, Ph.D.
Associate Program Director
Dominic Bria, Psy.D.
Data Scientist
Amanda D. Ali, Ph.D.
Program Coordinators and Staff
Abbey Bean
Kaylee Hanks
Austin Holmes
Jordan Leonard
Jake Marino
StacyAnn Maxwell
Becky Newman
Marta Nielsen
Kenna Sanders
Mike Sarles
Annette Saxton
Jacob Webb
Trenton Willson
Editors
Julene Reese
Donna Falkenborg
Graphic Designer
Michael
Dear Stakeholder, January 30, 2026
This year marks a milestone in Utah State University (USU) Extension’s long commitment to strengthening rural communities. With approval from the USU Board of Trustees on July 7, 2025, the Rural Online Initiative (ROI) became centralized under the USU Center for Rural Economic Development & Emerging Technologies (CREDET) and officially launched in St. George at the 2026 What’s Up Down South economic summit. This new structure brings together programs that support our rural workforce, small businesses, and community leaders in a strategic approach to economic growth.
The path to this moment spans generations. Early public works brought electricity and irrigation to rural Utah. Later, Utah’s technology sector grew from the achievements of pioneers in computing, software, and digital communication. In the 2000s and 2010s, broadband slowly reached rural towns, and by the 2020s, the diffusion of remote work as a modern business practice created new possibilities for residents seeking professional careers close to home. ROI began during this period and soon became both a statewide and national model for workforce development. The E-Commerce Accelerator followed in 2023 by helping rural businesses enter online markets and generate new revenue streams. These programs now move forward together under one Center dedicated to expanding prosperity and opportunity in rural Utah.
Through CREDET, we envision a rural Utah economy where individuals, families, businesses, and communities can succeed without geographic limits. Our mission is to empower rural communities through research-based education, workforce innovation, and entrepreneurial support to sustain economic growth and provide broad access to emerging technologies. These commitments guide our work across three focus areas:
The Rural Online Initiative will continue to prepare rural residents for remote, hybrid, and digital careers through courses, career mentoring, and structured job placement support. Participants gain practical work skills that lead to steady employment and greater household stability.
Through the E-Commerce Accelerator, small businesses and agricultural operations receive technical assistance in digital sales, marketing, and online tools. Many have reached new customers, increased online revenues, and strengthened their ability to compete in the digital marketplace.
CREDET now supports local community leaders through economic planning and proposal development services. Rural communities often seek access to broadband, telehealth, infrastructure, and workforce funding, but face capacity challenges. Our assistance helps them prepare robust plans and proposals that connect local priorities with state and federal opportunities.
The stories within this report reflect what happens when rural talent, commitment, and access come together. Individuals secure better jobs, small businesses grow, and communities chart clearer paths forward. Utah’s rural regions continue to show what is possible when practical support aligns with local determination.
Thank you for your partnership and interest in this work. The progress highlighted in this report represents a shared commitment to stronger rural communities across our state.
Sincerely,
Paul Hill, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Rural Economic Development & Emerging Technologies
Associate Vice President for Economic Development & Extension Professor
Utah
State University Extension
2025
$1 Million+ 50
93 businesses on the waiting list for technical assistance
2025
730 35,187 Total Job Placements Urban Utah Jobs * generated in new revenue 29 160 175 225
E-commerce websites built
professionals certified
*Jobs reported since 2019: 659 first jobs + 71 subsequent jobs. Of 659 first jobs, 599 are rural. Urban jobs equivalency is calculated based on 599 rural jobs. When adjusted for population sizes, 599 non-Wasatch Front (rural) jobs are similar to 35,187 jobs in urban Wasatch Front counties.
(Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services 2020. Analysis based on the goal of reducing unemployment by 0.5%. Statistics based on the county labor force’s current rate of unemployment and extrapolated number of jobs required.) counties with outreach events workshops resumes edited career planning meetings
The ECA is a mentoring service provided to small rural and agricultural businesses. Its goal is to help clients grow through online sales. With personalized training, clients learn how to create and manage their website and market their products.
105 clients applied to the program in 2025
34
clients successfully completed their e-commerce websites (94% completion rate)
An evaluation of short-term results from January 2024 to December 2025 showed that:
of participants had increased confidence
felt they had better skills toward creating an e-commerce website
67% had aspirations toward maintaining their e-commerce website
An evaluation of medium-term outcomes from January 2024 to December 2025 showed that:
46
new websites created
36
businesses experienced increased sales revenue from their e-commerce sites
The CRWP course provides remote work training to help participants from rural Utah find meaningful employment opportunities. It provides them with the tools and skills needed to succeed in remote and hybrid jobs. The target counties for the CRWP course are divided into three rural geographic regions (Southeast, Southwest, and Southcentral, with other counties classed into Northern and urban counties -
1. Southeast: Carbon, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, San Juan, Uintah
2. Southwest: Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Washington
3. Southcentral: Juab, Millard, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, Tooele
4. Northern Region: Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Morgan, Summit, Wasatch
5. Urban Counties: Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber
Table 1 gives a breakdown of the total number of Utah graduates who found employment since the program started in October 2018.
599
job placements were in rural Utah counties, with a county impact of
35,187 compared to urban Utah counties
32 additional urban jobs resulting in a total of
631 job placements for all Utah counties
Out of job seekers,
599
rural Utah participants found remote work, a 66% job placement rate
Table 1. Total Utah Job Placements for the CRWP Course by Region (October 2018 - December 2025)
*When adjusted for population sizes, 599 non-Wasatch Front** (rural) jobs are similar to 35,187 jobs in urban Wasatch Front counties (Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services 2020. Analysis based on the goal of reducing unemployment by 0.5%. Statistics based on the county labor force’s current rate of unemployment and extrapolated number of jobs required.)
Table 2. Anticipated Contribution to Reduced Unemployment in Rural Utah Counties
Table 2 presents a breakdown of the number of jobs in each rural county needed to reduce the unemployment rate by 0.5%. It shows ROI’s anticipated reduction in unemployment with job placements in rural counties, given unemployment figures. The goal of reducing the unemployment rate by 0.5% was met for 7 counties - Carbon, Daggett, Emery, San Juan, Beaver, Garfield, and Piute. RURAL COUNTIES
*Unemployment values were internally obtained from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO). Unemployment numbers represent the most recent data for 2020; available April 2021. **These values may have contributed to the reduction in unemployment.
Since October 2018,
3,180 participants enrolled
28%
of participants were over 50 years old
2,829 course completions
Based on follow-up surveys, graduates typically take 3.5 to 4 months to find a remote job. had some college or no degree
An evaluation of short-term outcomes from October 2018 - December 2025 captured changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, skills, and aspirations toward seeking remote employment. Knowledge gain – There were statistically significant differences between pre- and post-tests for all nine modules, indicating increases in participants’ knowledge after completing the CRWP course (Table 3).
Table 3. Pre and Post Test Knowledge-gain for CRWP Participants (October 2018 - December 2025).
On average, participants felt neutral toward their current jobs.
felt seeking remote work opportunities was favorable.
felt seeking remote work opportunities was beneficial.
On average, participants had high overall scores across all skills assessed. After the course, participants felt they had better abilities to:
Balance their professional and personal lives (M = 4.09, SD = .62)
After completing the course:
did not have remote work experience. felt it was important or very important to acquire remote work skills.
believed adequate wages were available in their local region.
believed job opportunities were available in their local region that matched their long-term goals. planned to stay in their current region for the next three years, 36% were unsure.
When asked about which ideal employment situations were most important,
said good manager relationship. said flexible hours. said personal growth.
Manage their professional and personal productivity (M = 4.27, SD = .64)
Solve problems (M = 4.17, SD = .67)
Communicate digitally (M = 4.20, SD = .68)
Use online technology (M = 4.20, SD = .63)
Work as a team member (M = 4.16, SD = .68)
Manage their careers (M = 4.24, SD = .60)
felt empowered to seek remote work.
had intentions to seek flexible work opportunities. felt their value as a remote worker improved.
A short survey was sent to all 322 graduates of the CRWP August 2024 to August 2025 cohorts (N = 322). With a 28% response rate, a total of 91 participants completed the survey (n = 91).
PERCEIVED COST-BENEFIT
Overall, a participant who found remote work experienced a 53% increase in median salary.
Total salaries across all respondents who found remote work also increased by 24%
Roughly 58% of those who found remote work believed their median salaries would likely increase by 20% over the next year.
About 55% of participants drove to a physical workplace before finding remote work. Since finding remote work, 14% drove to a physical workplace. Across all respondents, the average monthly miles driven decreased by 74% after finding remote work, resulting in an estimated fuel savings of $57.57 per month.
This reduction in the total number of miles driven per month equated to a total reduction of 0.18 tons of carbon emissions.
“I have worked in Price since 2021. I took both the Certified Remote Work Professional course and the Certified Remote Sales Professional course. They were both a great benefit to me, and shortly thereafter, I was able to take my job remote. Because of what I learned in those courses, I was also able to land a raise and better benefits. Now I have better work/life balance and make more money. I will be forever grateful to have these experiences as they have taken me out of my comfort zone and helped me to grow in the business world.”
- Debbie Sackett, Carbon County
“As an older, mostly retired person, I thought remote work was just a concept until I started the course. It helped me focus on preparing for remote roles. With support from the ROI team, I improved my resume and added teaching opportunities to my job search. That led to a new role as an adjunct instructor of psychology at Utah Tech University in St. George.”
- Pamela Webster, Washington County
“After spending several years as a stay-at-home mother, I enrolled in the Remote Work Professional course through the Rural Online Initiative to strengthen my confidence, develop marketable skills, and learn to clearly communicate my experience. The courses provided practical experience in presenting my strengths, navigating remote work culture, and preparing for interviews. By applying what I learned, I secured a remote, part-time position as a Program Coordinator, where I use my background in digital design and visual communications to support businesses and empower others.”
- StacyAnn Maxwell, Carbon County
“We launched our website not even a year ago thanks to the ECA program, and we have already had great success. On top of our regular sales, our website has brought us in about $40,000 of extra sales revenue. We have been grateful for the success and are excited to see what the future of our ecommerce website will bring to us and other Box Elder County ag businesses in our community.”
- Justin and Amanda Norr, Norr Family Farms, Box Elder County
“My family has been selling beef direct for several years by word of mouth, but when my dad learned about the USU E-Commerce program we were excited to expand our business and reach a new audience. Having the website up and functional has allowed us to reach new customers and increase the amount of direct-toconsumer sales that we have at Heart L Ranch in Piute County. We’ve made about $10,000 in extra sales through the website in about four months.”
- Mikyla Bagley, Heart L Ranch, Piute County
“The ECA Program has been a huge asset to our business. Even though we are based in Millard County, we have had people as far as New Jersey find us online through our website and purchase our meat. In the past year of having our website up, we have made over $250,000 on top of our regular sales. Most people find us on Google and stop into the store to buy their meat. We’ve never been so busy, it’s been great!”
- Aaron Rees, Provident Meat Co., Millard County
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