Regional AgriPark project advancing as R6 pursues land and utilities, Levan staff say

Town staff provided the Levan Town Council with an update on a regional AgriPark project that would serve agricultural processing needs in the region.

Shay, a regional planner, told the council the AgriPark involves about 920 acres under purchase by the R6 entity, located between Mona and Nephi. The state legislature provided an initial $8 million to acquire land and water rights, Shay said, and the project intends to ready lots and utilities so agricultural processors (fruit, meat, other agro-processing) can locate with shorter permitting and buildout timelines.

Shay said the AgriPark is being structured as a business-park-style development for agriculture: the government entity would own the property and lease lots to private businesses; the town would not own or operate the businesses that locate there. He said Sean Kerr has been hired as AgriPark director and is the contact for more detailed questions. Several council members asked whether rail spurs would be available; Shay said rail remains nearby but a spur was not yet in place and could be added later if needed.

Why it matters

Council members noted that while the state's initial appropriation secured land and water, the cost of running utilities and infrastructure will be much larger. Shay estimated that full buildout and infrastructure would likely require costs well above the initial appropriation (discussion cited a potential scale on the order of hundreds of millions to fully run utilities and roads for development). Council members said the AgriPark could support local producers and processing jobs but that the scale and costs mean additional funding and coordination will be required.

Details and next steps

- Project scope as presented: approximately 920 acres between Mona and Nephi. - Initial state appropriation reported at the meeting: $8,000,000 for land and water acquisition. - Project structure: land is expected to be owned by a government/regional entity and leased to private agricultural businesses; potential for later sale of parcels was discussed. - Local contacts: Sean Kerr (AgriPark director) and Brandon Clark (state environmental reviewer) were mentioned as points of contact for procurement and environmental-review questions.

Shay said the AgriPark is a regional initiative with six counties participating in initial investments and feasibility work. Council members requested staff provide links or the two-page Sean Kerr summary in the town newsletter so residents can review project details.

Ending

Shay said the project is still in development and that more funding will be necessary to extend utilities and complete infrastructure; council members expressed support for maintaining dialogue as the AgriPark advances.