Representatives of Rich County’s advisory economic development board and the Bear River Association of Governments briefed the commission on fiscal-year reporting for the county’s economic development allocation and requested guidance for fiscal year 2026.

The state-required FY25 report was accepted; presenters said most of the county’s allocation remains encumbered for a landfill-related project and associated pass-through grants. The county’s FY26 application is due by the end of the month, and advisory-board staff asked commissioners whether to continue offering small, pass-through microgrants to local businesses (as in prior years) or to target larger-scale, “in-the-ground” projects such as infrastructure, land-acquisition or matching funds for municipalities.

Advisors outlined options: use funds as matching grants for municipal infrastructure to attract private development, create a county-held land bank for future development, or reserve funds to reimburse specific development costs (rather than waiving fees). Commissioners emphasized they want “bang for the buck” that supports year-round employment and business stability; they asked the advisory board to convene, brainstorm, and present recommendations with a proposed spending plan before the FY26 application deadline. Staff also noted a need to appoint a replacement to the economic-development board after two members moved out of the area.

The commission asked for an email recommendation from the advisory board before month’s end and to formally vote and codify any appointment or plan in the next meeting. No funding decisions were made at the meeting; staff were instructed to continue coordination and to prepare an FY26 plan for commissioner consideration.