Salt Lake City— The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) recently changed its Center for Rural Development (CRD) team’s service model. This new model assigns each rural outreach manager to service specific counties and communities. Like the Associations of Governments business model, the CRD model will foster interactions with business and community leaders while addressing local economic challenges and opportunities. 

New hires

In addition to James Dixon, the associate director for the CRD team, and Eden Johnson, a rural outreach manager, the team welcomes Colette Cox and Forest Turner as rural outreach managers.

“Colette and Forest are great additions to our already-strong rural team,” says Ryan Starks, managing director of Business Services. “The Center for Rural Development now has more resources that support rural Utah than at any other point in the state’s history. The wealth of rural resources align with Gov. Cox’s commitment to providing economic opportunity to all Utahns.”

Colette Cox

Colette Cox will serve as the outreach manager for Beaver, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Kane, San Juan, and Washington counties, supporting the Southeastern Utah Associations of Governments. She has served rural communities for the past 18 years in economic strategy, innovative startup development, small business advising, and workforce expansion.

“I have a true love for rural Utah and the people that make up the heart of our small communities. It’s where I’m from and where I’m most at home,” Colette Cox said. “I strive to understand the uniqueness of each community and listen to the needs and desires of the residents, business community, and elected officials.”  

Colette Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of North Alabama.

Forest Turner

Forest Turner will serve Carbon, Emery, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne counties, supporting the Six County and Southeastern Utah Associations of Governments. He’s served rural Utah communities for the past 15 years. Turner has expertise in the following areas: workforce development, recruitment support for employers, hiring incentives, internship development, participation in numerous job fairs, and other community events.

Raised in a small Cache Valley farming community, Turner is a native of Utah. He earned a bachelor’s degree in University Studies with a minor in English from Brigham Young University–Idaho.

About the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity

Under Gov. Spencer J. Cox’s direction, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) provides resources and support for business creation, growth, and recruitment. It also drives increased tourism, film production, outdoor recreation, and mixed martial arts in Utah. Utilizing state resources and private sector contracts, the office administers programs in economic areas demonstrating the highest potential for development and the most opportunity for Utahns.