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Board debates repairs to former Weed and Mosquito building used as incubator; county owns property
Summary
Board members discussed repairing a county‑owned former Weed and Mosquito building used by start‑ups and community groups, including a 12x12 garage door replacement and adding a bathroom; no formal funding vote was taken.
The Emery County Economic Development Board discussed whether to allocate funds to repair a county‑owned former Weed and Mosquito building that currently houses two startup businesses and community groups.
Staff said the building lacks an interior bathroom in the larger shop space and that the existing 12‑by‑12 garage door is in poor condition and should be replaced with a safer roll‑up door. Two tenants were identified: a camper‑van and woodworking business run by Rocco and Emily Simon (who operates "Calibre Artisan" producing salves and lotions), and the Joe's Valley Bouldering Fest group, which stores equipment and runs seasonal programming out of the site.
The county had previously partnered with SIRDA and the AOG on incubator management; after that agreement lapsed the county took back management and placed tenants in the facility. Staff said tenants pay $250 a month in rent and contribute $250 in in‑kind work each month; staff also said a porta‑potty was provided and paid for out of tenant rent while building access and relations are being managed.
Why it matters Board members framed the building repairs as a preservation issue — keeping county buildings in use to prevent dilapidation — and discussed whether the county should sell the site, redevelop it for housing, or continue to use the buildings for incubator activities.
Discussion highlights and outcomes Board members raised concerns about occupancy standards and liability if spaces used by tenants are not fit for regular occupancy; one member questioned why tenants were allowed to occupy space without a bathroom. Staff said a bathroom exists in a separate building on the site but that current tenant relations limit shared use.
No formal motion to allocate funds for repairs passed at the meeting. Staff confirmed the county has funds available for improvements and that the proposal to make repairs was preliminary; the board left the item open for future consideration and suggested staff obtain quotes and pursue bids before any allocation.
Provenance Topic introduction excerpt: "So it's consideration of funding for the former Weed and Mosquito building to make needed repairs to the garage door, possibly put in a sink and toilet in the building to use as an incubator." (transcript segment starting at 730.94). Topic finish excerpt: "So I could I can help answer some questions. So the goal of the county is just to keep those buildings up so they don't get dilapidated..." (transcript segment starting at 1313.125).
