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.
Listen on:
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
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
Uintah County Travel and Tourism
Uintah County Economic Development
Vernal City
Credits:
This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.
Host: Becca SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
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 SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
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:
Ashley Valley Regional Medical Center
Tri-County Health
NorthEastern Counceling
Uintah Basin Healthcare
Uinah Special Service District 1
Utah State University Uintah Basin
Active and Healthy Committee
Credits:
This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.
Host: Becca SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Mar 06, 2026
Friday Mar 06, 2026
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:
Utah State University Uintah Basin
Uintah School District
Credits:
This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.
Host: Becca SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
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
Uintah County Travel and Tourism
Uintah County Economic Development
Vernal City
Credits:
This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.
Host: Becca SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
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:
Uintah County Travel and Tourism
Uintah County Economic Development
Vernal City
Credits:
This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.
Host: Becca SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
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:
Uintah County Travel and Tourism
Uintah County Economic Development
Vernal City
Credits:
This show is produced by Summer Creative Agency and V6 Media.
Host: Becca SummersAudio Engineer: Coby Coonradt
Assistant Producer: Eden Bostrom
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
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:
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!
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
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:
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!
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
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:
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!