Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. June 3, 2020. The State of Utah has authorized
$200,000 to each rural county for economic development. Mitch Poulsen, Director of the Bear Lake
Regional Council (BLRC) and Brian Carver, Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG) told County
Commissioners that this was an exciting opportunity.
The legislature also set aside $600,000 for competitive
funding for new projects. An Economic Development Board of at least 5
members needs to be created to administer these funds.
Projects to be funded include
business assistance, tech assistance, workforce development, infrastructure development such as needed
business or industrial space. It can also be used to develop better broadband internet.
Commissioner Sim Weston suggested that the county needs help with
sanitation issues with more equipment for garbage disposal as the crowds increase every year and the county is overwhelmed now. A business incubator
could also be considered or revolving loan funding.
Utah Association of Counties has sample
resolutions to use to create the Board and bylaws. Carver said that the money can be used for SBA
matches or micro loans or seed money for startups.
CARES (a federal program for COVID 19 economic assistance) has money too and the State money could be used to
match these federal dollars for a project.
CARES Act also gave $400,000 for the region
for economic development in addition to the money BRAG already gets. EDA money,
will provide for staff, travel, and studies.
Rich County will get $30,000. BRAG wants to put one staff member in Rich
County as perhaps a shared position between Bear Lake County, Idaho and Rich
County. BRAG is currently working with
Idaho to flesh out that idea.
There are also CDBG COVID 19
relief funds. BRAG is working with the Rich
Senior Citizen’s kitchen to make improvements.
They are also funding some emergency response needs.
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