63N-3-902. Strategic Innovation Grant Pilot Program.
(1) There is created within the office the Strategic Innovation Grant Pilot Program.
(2) Subject to available funds, the office, in consultation with each applicable agency, shall award grants to business entities to implement projects to improve:
(a) air quality in the state; or
(b) the conservation or more efficient utilization of water resources in the state.
(3)
(a) The office, in consultation with each applicable agency, shall develop goals and objectives specific to each type of project described in Subsection (2).
(b) The office shall issue a public solicitation for participation in the pilot program that describes the goals and objectives developed for each particular type of project.
(4)
(a) A business entity may apply to the office for a grant under the pilot program.
(b) An application under Subsection (4)(a) shall:
(i) specify:
(A) the expected outcomes that the funding would be used to achieve;
(B) how the business entity intends to achieve the expected outcomes;
(C) how the project is expected to meet the goals and objectives developed for that particular type of project under Subsection (3);
(D) the extent to which the project offers a strategic and innovative solution to achieve the expected outcomes;
(E) the date on which the business entity expects to complete the project, subject to Subsection (6)(b)(vii); and
(F) the total amount of money needed for the project; and
(ii) include any other information requested by the office.
(5) The office shall review and make a determination regarding a grant application after consulting with the applicable agency.
(6)
(a) Before the office may award a grant to a business entity under the pilot program, the office, in consultation with the applicable agency, shall enter into a written agreement with the business entity.
(b) The written agreement described in Subsection (6)(a) shall:
(i) specify the amount of the grant;
(ii) specify the time period for distributing the grant;
(iii) specify the terms and conditions for receiving the grant, including reporting requirements;
(iv) identify specific targets and benchmarks that align with the grant proposal;
(v) require the business entity to coordinate or partner with the applicable agency in implementing the project;
(vi) require the business entity to submit to independent evaluations over the course of the project's implementation by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, the Institute of Land, Water, and Air at Utah State University, or the Bingham Research Center at Utah State University to determine whether the project is meeting:
(A) the targets and benchmarks specified in the written agreement; and
(B) the goals and objectives developed for that particular type of project under Subsection (3); and
(vii) require the business entity to complete the project no later than July 1, 2026.
(c) In awarding grants under this section, the office, in consultation with each applicable agency, shall prioritize projects that:
(i) offer a strategic and innovative solution for achieving the intended outcomes; or
(ii) demonstrate a funding match from a private entity.
(7) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the office, in consultation with each applicable agency, shall make rules to administer the pilot program.
(8) The office shall, as part of the office's written report under Section 63N-1a-306 submitted in 2026, and if otherwise requested by the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee, report the following information:
(a) the total amount of grants the office awarded to business entities under the pilot program;
(b) a description of the projects for which the office awarded grants under the pilot program;
(c) a summary of the results of the independent evaluations conducted in accordance with Subsection (6)(b)(vi); and
(d) the office's recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program and any suggestions for legislation.
Enacted by Chapter 361, 2022 General Session
