Planning commission recommends city apply for state and federal grants to build Phase 1 airport road and utilities

The Parowan Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 15 voted to recommend that the city pursue state and federal grants to fund Phase 1 of an airport‑area road and utility extension project that would support the industrial park.

Staff described the grant package: a $600,000 application to the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), an application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for approximately $5,200,000, and additional private funding from Goodfellow plus potential in‑kind or cash contributions from the city. Staff said the combined project total is roughly $7,200,000 and that the grant application requires a positive planning commission recommendation as part of the package.

The proposed Phase 1 work would extend airport road infrastructure, underground power and underground water to the industrial park properties. Staff said no large‑scale sewer extension is planned as part of this grant; any development that would require sewer would need either to be served by septic (subject to county rules for lot size) or to bring a sewer solution as part of future development. Staff noted a state/health-rule that generally requires connection to municipal sewer within a prescribed distance (discussed at the meeting as about 300 feet).

Why this matters: the road and utility work are intended to support industrial development and integrate the city’s industrial park with regional economic initiatives; grant funding would reduce the upfront cost to the city and enable private development to proceed in appropriate zones.

Action: The commission moved and voted to recommend the grant applications to the city council, enabling staff to finalize and submit required materials.

Next steps: staff will include the planning commission recommendation in the grant submittal package and advance the applications to GOEO and the EDA.