Small Town Comeback

Latest Episodes:

Blueprints for Belonging: Community Programming Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Blueprints for Belonging: Community Programming

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 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.

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

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

Where Innovation Meets Community: Bingham Research Center & Bingham Entrepreneurial Center Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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

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

Utah State University Uintah Basin

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

Stronger Together: Building Community Health Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Stronger Together: Building Community Health

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 them.

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 the following community partners:

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

The Rise of Rural Education with Uintah School District and Utah State University Uintah Basin Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

The Rise of Rural Education with Uintah School District and Utah State University Uintah Basin

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 and should be. We’re thrilled to have guests Jim LaMuth, 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.

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 brought to you by:

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

From Dirt to Dreams: The Uintah All Wheels Park Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

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 Outdoor Recreation, share the journey of building this new All Wheel Parks.

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 brought to you by:

Uintah Special Service District 1

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

Utah’s Vertical Frontier: Building Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

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’s longest Via Ferrata. This new epic outdoor adventure was just built in Vernal, Utah, and it’s already bringing visitors from around the world.

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 brought to you by:

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

Red Fleet Rising: Remodeling Red Fleet State Park Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

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 new water access points, an aqua park, and brand-new mini-cabins—making Red Fleet fully remodeled and ready for adventure.

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 brought to you by:

Credits:

This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Host: Becca Summers
Audio Engineer: Coby Coonradt

Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom

Building Up Rural Tech: Vernal’s Innovation Hub Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

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:

Credits:

Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Saving Mainstreet: Downtown Revitalization Episode Part 2 Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

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 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:

Credits:

Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Strengthening Rural Air Travel: Vernal Regional Airport Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

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

Sponsors

This episode is brought to you by:

Credits:

Produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.

Recorded & edited by Coby Coonradt. Hosted by Becca Summers.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!