Community Economic Council – New Business Development Committee Overview

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Press Release

This is the third of a series introducing the Community Economic Development Council, its purpose and next steps open to all in Carbon County.

The Community Economic Council (CEC) was organized by the Carbon County Commission following the study done by LYRB and the restructuring of the Carbon County Economic Development office with Rita Vigor as Economic Development Specialist. There are four subcommittees under the umbrella of the CEC: Quality of Life, Employee Development and Recruitment, New Business Development, and Local Business Expansion. Each subcommittee has co-chairs, who also serve on the CEC, and members from both the private and public sector.

The New Business Development Committee is one of the keys to creating an environment that encourages new business to invest in Carbon County based on our assets and our people. The action items associated with this particular committee are to identify potential locations for new business development, with an awareness of current infrastructural configurations in those available areas, participate with Carbon County during site visits from with potential businesses and proactively identify business ventures that best suit our natural assets and local area talent base.

The focus of the committee is to draw new business to the area and assist in identifying those industries which “fit” Carbon County. The New Business Development committee is striving to bring diverse business opportunities to Carbon County that provide our community members a family living wage of $50,000/year – a key objective supporting the overall mission of the Community Economic Council. The co-chairs of this committee are Brock Johansen, Geri Gamber and Jeff Pero. Johansen represents Emery County, Gamber represents the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments and Pero is a local area bank commercial loan officer focused on assisting the business community. This mix of public/private entities allows the committee to operate with flexibility in attracting business to our communities.

“This is an exciting time in Carbon County,” Gamber said. “We are fortunate to be one of the key counties currently receiving a great deal of attention throughout all levels of government and we should maximize this timely opportunity to work across those entities who can help us get to that next level in attracting businesses to our area.”

Pero echoed that sentiment as a local leader. “Carbon County is positioned to make things happen and, with strong local business support, we are convinced we can attract top tiered businesses to the area with attractive programs to help develop and diversify Carbon County’s economy.”

Johansen concluded, “By combining the efforts of both Carbon and Emery counties, we can present a united front to those industries looking to locate to our area by expanding their opportunities to be a part of our communities.”

As part of this effort, work is already underway in identifying areas open for development and current infrastructure to match the best location for potential new business opportunities. In line with this, Economic Development Corporation Utah (EDCUtah) is working to develop a brochure specific to our area and associated assets. The New Business Development Committee is open to all in Carbon County with an interest in helping to identify, attract and develop new business opportunities. There are several tasks this committee specifically needs help with, including the development of a Carbon County “road map” of incorporated/unincorporated areas available for development, and identifying the associated infrastructure to those areas as well as the types of businesses that “fit” the area. This committee is one of the keys to improving our economic outlook and they invite you to join them as they work towards attracting diversified businesses with a median pay of $50,000 a year or more.

In closing, the New Business Development Committee is focused on creating a diversified economy for all of Carbon County and understands this effort will require teamwork and a united vision to move forward. They invite all interested citizens to join and make their voices and opinions heard as they develop strategic plans to grow the local business base. Join us for any scheduled town hall meetings in your area: Monday, Jan. 21 in Helper, Tuesday, Jan. 22 in Price, Wednesday, Jan. 23 in Wellington and Thursday, Jan. 24 in East Carbon. Details regarding location and time will be provided but we encourage you to reserve the date(s) and make your voices heard.

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