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Commission approves MOU with Weber State’s Wildcat Microfunds to bring microgrants and in-person technical assistance
Summary
San Juan County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Weber State University’s Wildcat Microfunds to deliver in-person technical assistance and microgrants for up to three years, supported by an EDA grant and local match in business hub facilities.
San Juan County commissioners voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with Weber State University’s Wildcat Microfunds program to deliver in-person technical assistance and microgrants to local entrepreneurs.
The MOU — presented by a county presenter identified as Talia — accompanies an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that will fund three years of an in-person technical assistance program in the county. Talia told commissioners the program pairs microgrants of up to $3,000 with mentoring and assistance on business planning, loan applications and registration: “they also really listen to what we were telling them about our area, and to make sure that we were able to include the chapter house areas, which I am super excited about too.”
Why it matters: County staff said the EDA grant will pay for bringing technical-assistance staff in person and that local business hubs will provide matching in-kind space and office access. Commissioners and staff described the arrangement as a three-year start intended to build toward a locally sustained program afterwards.
Details cited at the meeting show the county will act as the local manager and provide modest travel support; business hubs in several communities agreed to match by providing training rooms and office space. The Wildcat program, participants said, is designed to walk entrepreneurs through application and market planning, and to provide follow-up coaching through the early years of a business.
Commissioners discussed sustainability. One commissioner noted the Wildcat funds cover only three years and urged county and community partners to find follow-on funding and local partners to operate a permanent program. County presenters said Weber State University staff have offered in‑kind support and space in a Monument Valley center, and that the county and partners will pursue additional funding.
The vote: A commissioner moved to approve the MOU; a second was recorded and the commission voted in favor (voice vote: ayes recorded). No roll-call breakdown was entered into the meeting record.
