Small Town Comeback
Go inside the stories of the documentary series Small Town Comeback. This original series, filmed in Vernal, Utah, follows a small town revitalizing its downtown to bring back its Main Street charm. Documentary director, Becca Summers, speaks with locals from the film about what it takes to create a thriving Downtown and diversify their economy. Their stories explore how innovation, grit, and community are crucial for rural success.
Episodes
Episode Synopsis:
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 a...
Episode Synopsis:
Watch the Documentary Series
Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smalltowncomeback.org
Show Notes:
Visit the town in Vernal, Utah: dinoland.com
Sponsors
This episode is presented by
Credit...
Episode Synopsis:
Our small, rural town faces unique healthcare challenges. But, through collaboration, local health organizations are rallying together to create a stronger community. Alan Olive - CEO of Ashley Regional Medical Center and Sydnee Lyons, Public Information Officer for TriCounty Health, discuss some of our community’s challenges and how we’re working together to tackle the...
Episode Synopsis:
Central Cove Preschool is 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 an...
Episode Synopsis:
The new Uintah All-Wheel Park is a 4-acre facility in Vernal, Utah, and one of the largest of its kind in the state. It’s designed for all ages and all types of play. 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 ...
Episode Synopsis:
Today, we are talking about the new Ashley Valley Gorge Via Ferrata in Vernal, Utah. Via ferrata climbing is a type of mountain climbing that uses fixed cables, ladders, and metal rungs attached to the rock to help climbers safely traverse steep terrain. We get the perspective of Clint Cook, The CEO of Via Ferrata Solutions, and Mike Cook, the Uintah County Trails Manager, and hear what it took to build the nation...
Episode Synopsis:
Today, we are talking about Red Fleet State Park and the park's recent $7 million transformation. We 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 renovations. This episode follows the vision, planning, and collaboration that brought the renovation to life—expanding campgrounds, adding ne...
Episode Synopsis:
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:
Episode Synopsis:
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 unfo...
Episode Synopsis:
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
Spo...
Episode Synopsis:
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
Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smalltowncomeback.org
Show Notes & Links:
Episode Synopsis:
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 wit...
Building Up Rural Tech: Part 2
Episode Synopsis:
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. These two rural tech professionals share their journey into tech, lessons they’ve learned, and advice for others looking at getting into the tech scene.
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Building Up Rural Tech - Part 1
Episode Synopsis:
Finding talent to fill rural-based tech jobs is tricky. 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 created new jobs, a homegrown tech community, and support for local businesses.
Watch the...
Saving Kids Canal
Episode Synopsis:
Kids Canal is a 100-year-old nature space in Vernal, Utah, where kids can freely play, swim, fish, and explore. Recently, the Kids Canal was in danger of being destroyed. As our small town grows, things inevitably change. But we don’t want everything to change. Today I’m talking with Sam Passey (Uintah County Library Director) and Quinn Bennion (Vernal City Manager) about how they were both inst...
Business Pitch Winner: Elite Equine
Episode Synopsis:
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.
Watch the Documentary Series
Dinah “SOAR Days Hot Air Balloon
Episode Synopsis:
Get a sneak peek into Utah’s Biggest Hot Air Balloon Festival! Event Director Lesha Coltharp (Uintah County Travel & Tourism Director) and Steve Jones (local hot air balloon pilot & local restaurant owner) share the strategy for growing this massive festival, its economic impact, and how events like this can help unite a small town.
Watch the Documentary Series
Mural Magic on Main Street
Episode Synopsis:
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.
Watch the Documentary Series
Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, at www.smallto...
Market on Main Street
Episode Synopsis:
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.
Watch...
Saving Main Street: Vernal’s Downtown Revitalization (Part 1)
Episode Synopsis:
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.
Watch the Documentary Series
Watch this episode of Small Town Comeback, an original documentary series, a...
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