As used in this part:

1. (1) "Advisory committee" means the Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee created in Section 63N-4-804.
2. (2) "Association of governments" means an association of political subdivisions of the state, established pursuant to an interlocal agreement under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.

3. (3)

   1. (a) "Business entity" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, association, joint venture, corporation, firm, trust, foundation, or other organization or entity used in carrying on a business.

   2. (b) "Business entity" does not include a business primarily engaged in the following:

      1. (i) construction;
      2. (ii) staffing;
      3. (iii) retail trade; or
      4. (iv) public utility activities.
4. (4) "CEO board" means a County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board as described in Section 63N-4-803.
5. (5) "Fund" means the Rural Opportunity Fund created in Section 63N-4-805.
6. (6) "Qualified asset" means a physical asset that provides or supports an essential public service.

7. (7) " Qualified project" means a project to build or improve one or more qualified assets for a rural community, including:

   1. (a) telecom and high-speed Internet infrastructure;
   2. (b) power and energy infrastructure;
   3. (c) water and sewerage infrastructure;
   4. (d) healthcare infrastructure; or
   5. (e) other infrastructure as defined by rule made by the office in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
8. (8) "Rural community" means a rural county or rural municipality.

9. (9) "Rural county" means:

   1. (a) a county of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class, as classified in Section 17-60-104; or
   2. (b) a county of the third class, as classified in Section 17-60-104, if the county of the third class has no municipality with a population of 100,000 or more.
10. (10) "Rural health care special district" means a special service district created to provide health care under Subsection 17D-1-201(6) that is located in a rural county or rural municipality.

11. (11) "Rural municipality" means a city or town located within the boundaries of:

    1. (a) a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class; or
    2. (b) a county of the second class, if the municipality has a population of 10,000 or less.
12. (12) "Rural Opportunity Program" or "program" means the Rural Opportunity Program created in Section 63N-4-802.

Amended by Chapter 17, 2025 Special Session 1