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Podcast

Go inside the stories of the series Small Town Comeback.

Documentary Director Becca Summers chats with locals in the series about creating a thriving downtown and diversifying their rural economy. 

 

Their comeback stories explore how innovation, grit, and community are crucial for rural success.

Episode 1

Saving Main Street: Vernal's Downtown Revitalization - Part 1 

How do you revitalize a crumbling downtown? Quinn Bennion (Vernal City Manager) and Gabby Hawkes Blackburn (Vernal City Assistant City Manager) share the community’s strategy and journey of bringing back a vibrant Main Street to their small town Visit the town in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by V6 Media & Summer Creative Agency. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 2

Market On Main Street

Trisha Sorensen, creator of a local cookie empire, shares her journey of growing from a home baker to owning a downtown bakery and consignment store. Her dream was only made possible by a new local business pitch competition, Rise and Thrive. We speak with the pitch founder, Sylvia Wilkins, and hear how this competition has helped kickstart an entrepreneurial wave in their small town. Shop Local at Market on Main: www.marketonmainvernal.com Visit the town in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by V6 Media & Summer Creative Agency. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 3

Mural Magic On Main Street

Local artist Jordan Clark (owner of Ninty1 Designs) shares his journey of starting a spray paint mural company. Lesha Coltharp (Uintah County Tourism and Event Director) shares how murals and other local art efforts are elevating the look and feel of their small town. Check out Jordan's murals at: ninty1designs.com Visit the town in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 4

Dinah “SOAR” Days Hot Air Balloon Festival

Get a sneak peek into Utah’s Biggest Hot Air Balloon Festival! Lesha Coltharp (Uintah County Travel & Tourism Director) and Steve Jones (local hot air balloon pilot & restaurant owner) share the strategy for growing this massive festival, its economic impact, and how events like this can help unite a small town. Check out Dinah SOAR Days Hot Air Ballon Festival dates and details at dinahdays.com Visit Steve’s local restaurant, Get Grilled and Glazed: 1096 West 1096 US-40. Visit the town in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 5

Business Pitch Winner: Elite Equine

Rural Utah has thousands of horses. When you drive around our small town, you’ll see horse after horse in pastures. Two local women saw a huge gap in the equestrian industry and are working together to fill it. In this episode, you’ll hear the journey and lessons learned from business pitch competition winners Paula Henline and Kylee Betts. Check out Elite Rehab and Reconditioning Facebook Page. Visit the town in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com For help with your small business check out Utah’s Small Business Development Center Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 6

Saving Kids Canal

As our small town grows, we don’t want everything to change. Recently, Kids Canal was in danger of being destroyed. Kids Canal is a 100-year-old nature space in Vernal, Utah, where kids can freely play, swim, fish, and explore. Sam Passey (Uintah County Library Director) and Quinn Bennion (Vernal City Manager) share how the community came together to save this outdoor recreation space in our small town. Visit Kids Canal in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Visit a free exhibit of Kids Canal at: uintahmuseum.org Learn more about Kids Canal at: kidscanalstories.org Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 7

Building Up Rural Tech: Part 1

Finding talent for rural-based tech jobs can be difficult. Our small town works with the program DevPipeline to train rural web developers and software engineers. Travis Campbell (Uintah County Economic Development Director) and Jason Fletcher (CEO of DevPipeline) share how this collaboration has helped create new jobs, a homegrown tech community, and support for rural companies. This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Economic Development Uintah County Travel and Tourism Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 8

Building Up Rural Tech: Part 2

Two rural tech professionals share their journey into tech, lessons they’ve learned, and advice for others looking at getting into the tech scene. Ted Munford (local business owner of Techris) has worked in the rural tech scene for almost 20 years. Kray Halsem (local Web Developer) found his tech career after a life-altering airplane accident. Thank you to Uintah County Economic Development Uintah County Travel and Tourism Vernal City STRATA Networks Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 9

Utah & The Paranormal: The Rise of Rural Filmmaking

Come behind the scenes as we chat about the rise of rural filmmaking within our small town. Hit shows like The Secret of SkinWalker Ranch and Blind Frog Ranch have created an increase in film tourism in our town. It’s becoming a must-see paranormal hot spot for filmmakers and visitors from all over the world. Becca chats with Lesha Coltharp, Uintah County’s Tourism & Events Director and Film Liason, and with Dale Allred - the Director of Operations for V6 Media. Watch the Documentary Series Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smalltowncomeback.org Show Notes & Links: Visit Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Check out V6 Media: v6media.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 10

Building BuckSkin Hills Drag Strip

The Buckskin Hills drag strip is the ONLY functioning Drag Strip in Utah. Two local racers, Bo Ellis and Dan Dilsaver, chat about the journey of creating the new drag strip and how it’s bringing in racers from all over the country. Watch the Documentary Series at www.smalltowncomeback.org Show Notes & Links: Visit Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers.

Episode 11

Saving Rural Air Travel:
Vernal Regional Airport

Rural air travel is growing! Ken Campbell, Vernal Regional Airport, and Quinn Bennion, Vernal City Manager, talk with Becca about the airport's updates, challenges, and future forecasts. Watch the Documentary Series Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smalltowncomeback.org Show Notes & Links: Fly to Vernal: flyvernal.com Visit Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 12

Saving Main Street: Downtown Revitalization Episode Part 2

With an ambitious Downtown plan, demolition and construction kick off to revitalize Vernal’s Downtown Main Street. The momentum starts to bring new businesses and new nightlife to Main Street. Becca, the documentary series producer of Small Town Comeback, chats with Quinn Bennion, Vernal City Manager, and Gabby Hawkes Blackburn, former Vernal City Assistant Manager/ Planning Director about how this plan is unfolding and what they’re learning along the way. Watch the Documentary Series Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smalltowncomeback.org Show Notes & Links: Check out Vernal City’s Downtown Plan: https://www.vernal.gov/471/Vernal-Downtown-Plan Visit Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 13

Building Up Rural Tech: Vernal's Innovation Hub

Today our guests are the first two Managers of the Vernal Innovation Hub, Lori Haslem and Sydney Millett. They share how the Innovation Hub came to be, what’s worked well, what hasn’t, and real-world case studies on how the Innovation is helping our small town’s local economy grow and thrive. Watch the Documentary Series Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smalltowncomeback.org Show Notes & Links: Check out Vernal’s Innvation Hub: vernalinnovationhub.com Visit Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: Uintah County Travel and Tourism Uintah County Economic Development Vernal City Credits: Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media. Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers. Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Episode 14

Red Fleet Rising: Remodeling Red Fleet State Park

Go behind the scenes with Uintah County Tourism Director Lesha Coltharp and Red Fleet State Park Manager Cole Unsworth as they reveal the story behind Red Fleet State Park’s $7 million transformation. This episode follows the vision, planning, and collaboration that brought the renovation to life—expanding campgrounds, adding new water access points, an aqua park, and brand-new mini-cabins—making Red Fleet fully remodeled and ready for adventure.

Episode 15

Coming February 20

Utah’s Vertical Frontier: Building Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata

Hear what it takes to build the nation’s longest Via Ferrata! This new epic outdoor adventure was just built in Vernal, Utah, and is bringing visitors from around the world. Guests Clint Cook, The CEO of Via Ferrata Solutions, and Mike Cook, the Uintah County Trails Manager, share the journey of building this new Via Ferrata in the heart of Ashley Gorge.

Episode 16

Coming February 27

From Dirt to Dreams: The Uintah All Wheels Park

The new 4-acre Uintah All Wheel’s Park is one of the largest in the state, built in Vernal, Utah. Come behind the scenes to hear how it was built, funded, and the impact it’s already having on the community. Guests Cheryl Meier, Director of Uintah Special Service District 1, and Patrick Morrison, Recreation Program Director of Utah’s Division of Outdoor Recreation, share the journey of building this new All Wheels Parks.

Episode 17

Coming March 6

The Rise of Rural Education with Utah State University

Come behind the scenes of the launch of Central Cove—a brand-new, state-of-the-art preschool that just opened in Vernal, Utah. With cutting-edge facilities, research-backed programming, and a powerful partnership between education leaders, Central Cove aims to become the best preschool in the West—a model for what early childhood education can and should be. We’re thrilled to have guests Jim MaLuth, Director of Programs at Utah State University – Uintah Basin, and Rick Woodford, Superintendent of the Uintah School District. Together, they walk us through how Central Cove came to life, what makes it so unique, and how this partnership has helped shape the future of pre-K education for families in our small town.

Episode 18

Coming March 13

Stronger Together: Building Community Health

Our small, rural town faces unique healthcare challenges. But, through collaboration, local health organizations are rallying together to create a stronger community. Our guests discuss a few major health concerns and how their organizations are developing innovative solutions to address them.

Episode 19

Coming March 20

Where Innovation Meets Community: The Bingham Research Center & The Bingham Entrepreneurial Center

Utah State University - Uintah Basin has two custom centers that are helping shape and strengthen our small town. Scientists from around the world come to learn from the Bingham Research Center in Vernal, Utah. The Uintah Basin is one of only two places in the world known to routinely experience wintertime ozone exceeding EPA standards. Since 2010, the Bingham Research Center has worked with stakeholders in government, industry, and environmental organizations to understand and resolve this critical issue. The Bingham Research Center helps forecast ozone episodes and provides critical information to the community and the industry. They collaborate with other entities to help determine and promote actions that will reduce wintertime ozone in the Uintah Basin. The Bingham Entrepreneurship Center helps students in this small town succeed in fostering skills such as creativity, self-reliance, tenacity, persistence and resourcefulness. Students gain skills through classes, internships and competitions that will help optimize their value as an individual to make an impact in the world and become an entrepreneurial leader. The center offers resources for local entrepreneurs to start and grow their business in their incubator space. Guests Seth Lymon, Bingham Center Director and Research Professor, and Daphne Blanchard, Director of the Bingham Entrepreneurship Center, share more about their work at each of these centers.

Episode 20

Coming March 27

Blueprints for Belonging: Community Programming

Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of some of our small town’s most successful community programs—how they started, why they work, and the impact they’re having. We’re exploring the strategy behind their success and the impact they’re making locally. From the wildly successful Passport to Summer program to the $10,000 Local Outlaw Treasure Hunt, we’re breaking it all down with Lesha Coltharp, Uintah County’s Tourism & Events Director, and Quinn Bennion, Vernal City Manager. They, with community partners, are building a legacy of community events that are shaping our small town.

This Series is Presented By:
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