San Juan County Economic Development and Visitor Services (EDVS) has launched a new Rural County Grant Program (RCGP), developed from the ground up by county economic development director Natalie Randall and the County Economic Development Board (CED).
The program follows a realignment of spending priorities by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) after the passage of state senate bill SB 95, which allowed for the consolidation of several grants. Through GOED's Office of Rural Development, counties can now qualify for block funding to address local economic needs including business recruitment, workforce training, and infrastructure improvements.
San Juan County was awarded $95,833 from the grant, a reduced amount compared to the $220,000 typically anticipated by the legislature in non-COVID-19 years. The San Juan County CED decided to allocate specific funds for the Annual Canyonlands Business Summit and for supporting additional business or group meetings and training, leaving $85,833 for the creation of the RCGP.
Board member Pratt Redd, who also serves as the Blanding City Economic Development Director, stated that the program works for San Juan County businesses and their unique circumstances, allowing expansion to be managed at a local level.
RCGP Board Chairman Britt Barton noted that while funds are limited this year, they provide a start to work with qualifying businesses that the community feels deserve support. Barton clarified that these funds are intended for the expansion of the economic engine rather than day-to-day operational expenses or helping employers make ends meet.
Qualifying projects may include housing developments, infrastructure developments, construction or additions to buildings, equipment or machinery upgrades, value-added agriculture expansion, and new or uncommon industry investment.
The funds are designated for existing businesses or the recruitment of new businesses providing services not currently found in San Juan County.
Businesses interested in investing in San Juan County are invited to submit a pre-application through October 31st. All applications will be reviewed and scored by the San Juan CED Board. For more information and to submit a pre-application, visit www.utahscanyoncountry.com/ced.
