The Carbon County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to review a $143,300 cooperative marketing grant for 2027 during its upcoming meeting, a move aimed at amplifying tourism advertising and attracting more out-of-state visitors to the region. The potential approval comes as the county continues to manage various economic development initiatives and administrative reviews, including discussions regarding federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Tourism Marketing and Grants
During the meeting scheduled for Oct. 7, 2026, the commission will consider the 2027 Co-Op Marketing Grant Agreement, according to an agenda posted by the Carbon County Board of Commissioners. This specific grant is part of a broader effort by the Utah Office of Tourism to support local counties and destination marketing organizations through its Cooperative Marketing Grant program. The program is designed to help municipalities and non-profit attractions amplify their advertising efforts to attract out-of-state travelers.
Statewide Tourism Support
The grant program, which includes the 2026 round of awards already approved by the Utah Board of Travel Development, serves as a tool for local economic growth. According to the Utah Office of Tourism, these cooperative marketing grants are designed to assist local counties, federally recognized tribes, and municipalities in boosting their tourism presence. The state also manages significant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which includes $3,768,641 allocated to Utah in September 2021 to support thirty-one subgrantee projects and six key initiatives aimed at strengthening the state's tourism industry.
Tax Advisory Role
The Carbon County Tourism Tax Advisory Board, which provides recommendations to the commissioners, is responsible for the promotion of tourism and the development of tourism-related facilities within the county. This board advises on the expenditure of funds collected from the restaurant sales tax and the transient room tax. The board is composed of seven regular members and two ex officio members, with requirements that a majority of members must be current employees of entities within the county subject to these specific taxes.
Administrative Agenda Items
The upcoming Oct. 7 meeting will also address several other administrative and economic matters. The commissioners are expected to review and possible approve an agreement with Visa U.S.A. Inc and an agreement with Toilets To Go of Utah, LLC. Additionally, the commission will discuss the ratification of a 2027 Rural County Grant award from the Governor's Office of Economic Development and an update regarding the Carbon County Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
County Infrastructure and Safety
Beyond tourism, the commission's agenda includes considerations for the Carbon County Motocross Track Continued Improvements Project through a State of Utah Contract from the Division of Outdoor Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation (OHVR) Grant for the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. The meeting also involves reviewing potential changes to property values recommended by the Assessor's department and discussing a possible application for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Grant.
Commission Structure
The Carbon County Board of Commissioners serves as both the legislative and administrative arm of the county government, a structure the county describes as unique. The board is composed of three members elected by the county, with two seats elected at the same time and the third elected two years later, all serving four-year terms. The commissioners oversee a wide array of departments, including the Office of Tourism, the County Clerk Auditor's Office, and various boards such as the Carbon County Rec, Transportation, and SSD.
Ongoing Governance
The commission's ongoing work includes managing various local interests, from the Carbon County Planning Commission to the County Multiplex. As noted in recent meeting schedules, the board maintains a consistent schedule of regular meetings, including sessions held on Aug. 19, Sept. 2, Sept. 16, and Oct. 7, 2026, to address the diverse needs of the county's residents and businesses.
