Grant review committee recommends $185,360.72 for local business projects

Emery County grant review committee members recommended awards and reservations totaling $185,360.72 at a recent committee meeting, approving funding for retail storefronts, tourism attractions, food-service upgrades and equipment purchases across the county.

The committee agreed to reserve $13,500 for a previously approved recreation project and to approve grants at or near the program's usual $20,000 maximum for several applicants. Committee members emphasized that awards are reimbursable and contingent on applicants spending matching funds and submitting invoices and photos before receiving payment.

Why it matters: The awards are intended to help small businesses and tourism operators complete building improvements, buy equipment and expand services in Emery County. Committee members said the program aims to boost Main Street visibility, support tourism-related businesses that generate transient room tax (TRT) revenue, and help startups and expanding firms afford capital items that increase local employment.

Committee action and key details Members discussed about a dozen applications and approved or reserved funds for the projects below. Committee staff said the chamber will advance a state-awarded grant (about $99,000) first and that awardees will be reimbursed after they demonstrate they have spent at least the required match and supplied receipts and photos.

Votes at a glance: - Prickly and Sweet Cactus Boutique, Huntington — Award: $20,000 to help construct a barn-style retail building on Main Street; reimbursement only after claimant documents match spending. - Ponderosa (restaurant/banquet expansion) — Award: $20,000 toward a larger kitchen, drive-up window and expanded seating capacity; committee noted applicant may reapply for additional funds in future rounds. - Ness's Floral and Bakery — Award: $14,000; committee reduced the requested funding to withhold payment for a vehicle wrap until the applicant provides additional bids and confirms the vehicle condition; remaining eligible items (walk-in cooler, ovens, proofer, ribbon printer) are subject to standard receipts-and-photos reimbursement. - White Space (apparel/printing shop) — Award: $8,945 toward embroidery and apparel equipment to expand retail and production capacity. - Genco Mine Service — Award: $20,000 toward an overhead crane and shop equipment to expand contract capacity after receiving new certifications and larger contracts. - Grubbox (Farrin) — Award: $20,000 to modernize ordering systems, install a quicker grill and add a drive-up window; committee described the owners as investing additional funds and adding online ordering. - La Verre Cousana (Green River) — Award: $15,004.55 toward building remodeling and equipment conversion costs (applicant's project total exceeds the award); committee noted additional construction bids were submitted and that Green River projects sometimes carry higher contractor costs. - Swell Retreat (tourism/water attractions) — Award: $20,000 to add a larger water feature/attraction (Wibit-style water park) and related equipment to support tourism visitors and camps. - United Lawn and Landscaping / LawnTech (business purchase/expansion) — Award: $20,000 to help purchase equipment being acquired as part of a business sale and to support planned hires. - JR Portable Toilets — Award: $20,000 to expand inventory (portable toilets, hand-wash stations) and purchase pumping/tank equipment to serve events and county needs.

Other decisions and reserves - The committee agreed to set aside $13,500 for a previously approved recreation project (described as a 36-hole course on BLM land near Cottonwood Canyon) until the applicant has all approvals in place. - Committee staff said previously approved projects that are not yet completed will remain reserved in the chamber account; examples named included Salon Sensations and several other previously approved awards.

How awards are paid Committee staff explained the program pays by reimbursement: applicants must spend their match, submit invoices and photos, and then the chamber places them on the county claims list for payment. The chamber expects to receive 90% of a $100,000 state grant up front and will use that funding first to reimburse projects before billing the county.

What's next Committee members noted a second application round is upcoming and discussed outreach to potential applicants and partners (signage projects, additional equipment requests, and potential requests from businesses that deferred filing earlier). Committee members also discussed hiring an economic development director and use of other rural-county grant funds to support broader business assistance work.

Ending note: Committee members emphasized consistency across awards, the requirement that applicants document spending before reimbursement, and the program's focus on projects intended to increase Main Street activity, tourism visitation and local employment.