August Granath
Technical Outreach Manager for the Center for Rural Development
Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
Presenter August Granath is the Technical Outreach Manager for the Center for Rural Development at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. He developed and manages the Rural Economic Blueprint Program, an initiative that started in 2025 to provide free economic development strategic planning services to rural communities throughout the state. August works hand in hand with the Outreach Manager team to carry out the Blueprint planning process and implement recommendations with partner communities.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, August spent time on the East Coast where he received Bachelors Degrees in Economics and International Affairs from Northeastern University in Boston. August then lived in the Pacific Northwest before returning to Utah to work in Moab as the director of Economic Development and Tourism for Grand County.
August still lives in Moab and loves living in rural Utah. You can find him participating in local community events, rafting on the Colorado River, or backcountry skiing in the La Sal mountains.
Session(s):
The Rural Economic Blueprint Program – Economic Development Planning for Rural Communities in Utah »
APA Utah 2026 Spring Conference: Bryce Canyon, April 10, 2026 10:30 amThis session, designed for local leaders and planners, provides the framework for actionable strategies through the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity's Rural Economic Blueprint Program. This program was piloted in 2025 and is moving forward in 2026 as a key support for communities within Utah's 24 rural counties offering a pathway to sustainable rural economic development. Participants will explore innovative approaches to leveraging state and local assets, enhancing infrastructure, fostering entrepreneurship and building capacity for long-term managed growth, while addressing barriers to labor force participation and community resilience.
= Keynote
