Emery County EDB approves moving forward on industrial-park master plan while seeking outside funding; board to advertise open seat

The Emery County Economic Development Board on an emergency meeting voted to proceed with developing a master plan for the roughly 80–100 acres north of the county research center while directing staff to look for outside funding sources that could reduce the county's share, freeing money to support small-business grant applicants.

The vote to approve moving forward with the master plan passed after discussion and a call for public- and intergovernmental funding exploration; one board member stated opposition during the roll call. The board also approved a separate motion authorizing Natalie (staff member) to advertise an open municipal-representative seat and agreed to prioritize new business applicants for the county's small-business grant program.

Board members said a master plan would help the county attract additional investment and make future infrastructure grant applications stronger. "If the master plan is in place, it'll be easier for us to kind of get application in again," Deborah (county staff) said, referring to the Rural Communities Opportunity Grant the county applied for last year and did not receive. Board members and staff discussed matching possibilities and other funding avenues such as Community…