Press Release
PRICE, Utah—Rural Utah continues to be the number one topic of conversation in meetings across the state.
Carbon County Economic Development Director Tami Ursenbach attended the Governor’s Rural Partnership Board (GRPB) quarterly meeting in Eureka, Utah. Ursenbach summarized the meeting in order to share the work being done to bring economic growth to rural counties in Utah.
Governor Herbert’s commitment to bring 25, 000 jobs to rural Utah in the next four years has many organizations working diligently to develop a plan to bring it to fruition. The meeting started with a welcome from the Superintendent, Mayor and a County Commissioner. Eureka is a great example of a small Utah town that could benefit immensely from more jobs, in the last century their population has decreased from 3,608 residents to 669.
Co-Chair, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox spoke about the GRPB Boards plan to partner with Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED, World Trade Center (WTC) and edcUtah to develop a plan to market rural counties. Spencer has been tasked with bringing Herbert obstacles and challenges rural counties face along with ideas to promote economic growth.
Ben Hart, Deputy Director for the GOED introduced Ginger Chinn as the new Managing Director for urban and rural business services. Hart talked about possible changes to GAP Funding, Industrial Assistance Fund and the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program. GOED plans to look at the best way to keep the funding alive for these types of programs that can benefit rural counties in many ways.
Hart also reported on the Utah Rural Jobs Act, GOED will play a large role in this. Hart briefly discussed a revision to the new market tax credit, targeted business tax credit and refundable tax credit. Hart mentioned a webinar they will be hosting and would get that information out as soon as a definite date has been set. Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Tom Adams reported on tourism in Utah and the Utah Recreation Outdoor Grant. Adams said tourism generated $21 million, 20% of that goes to coop marketing. He also talked about the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant application deadline of June 15, 2017. Adams said the Office of Outdoor Recreation would hold workshops throughout the state to offer assistance with grant applications. There is a workshop in Vernal on May 8, Green River on May 9 and a webinar on May 16.
edcUtah updated the group about their plans for the project they are naming “25K by 2020 Rural Partnership”. The overall goal is for better collaboration between commissioners, utilities and economic development directors. The plan will include many aspects from a web page to tours with the World Trade Center Utah to rural counties.
Theresa Drulard with the University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) presented on their organization. MEP can coordinate visits to manufacturers in rural Utah to evaluate their operations. They can point out areas with opportunities for improvement, which in turn can increase sales, jobs and savings which may involve a specific training. This can lead a one time struggling manufacturer to potentially grow and expand. Drulard went on to explain how can host a lunch and learn, consult on cyber security and many other services. Drulard said MEP is excited to venture into rural Utah and encouraged anyone interested in their program to contact them.
Brandy Grace with Utah Associations of Counties spoke briefly about their plan to start working more closely with economic development directors and local elected officials. The goal is to encourage better communications and collaborations not only within a single county but across regions and the state as a whole. They also plan to work with Wes Curtis, SUU to have GOED compile a list of business and economic development tools available such as Business Resource Center and the Small Business Development Centers. With the completion of county resource plans finalizing in the near future this seemed like a logical next step.
“There is always a plethora of information at the GRPB meetings and I felt it would be very beneficial for Carbon County to hear about all the work being done across the state to not only bring in new industry but help grow our current businesses” said Ursenbach.
If you would like contact information for any of the organizations mentioned, email Carbon County Economic Development Director, Tami Ursenbach at tami.ursenbach@carbon.utah.gov.