It was announced on Wednesday that an $800,000 grant will directly benefit the Castle Country area as FutureInDesign was awarded funding that will transform the old JCPenney building into a business hub.
“I am excited to announce FutureInDesign with Carbon and Emery Counties were awarded an operational $800,000 grant for workforce training and a location for businesses to work,” said Tami Ursenbach, Carbon County Economic Developer. “The grant administrator is FutureInDesign with Carbon and Emery Counties as supportive government agencies. Utah is one of the few states that received the grant for Coal Reliant Communities.”
In a release from the U.S. Department of Commerce, it was reported that the $800,000 awarded to FutureINDesign would support the startup costs and operations of The Innovation and Opportunity Center, which will be stationed on Price’s Main Street in the former JCPenney building.
“FutureInDesign will oversee the operations of the facility and promote the center to attract employers by offering ready-made solutions in office suites, complete workstations and warehousing,” the U.S. Department of Commerce shared.
Once the JCPenney building build-out is complete, FutureInDesign will begin leasing the building to various companies, Ursenbach said. Training for youth and adults will begin approximately the same time.
According to Ursenbach, a handful of businesses have already committed to calling the new location home. These include FutureInDesign, Accelerant Business Solution Providers, Blacksmith International, LLC, HealthEquity, Elevate 11 and Marketing Elevated.