Daggett County names seven recipients for CEOAB regranting program, allocates $55,000

Daggett County staff announced seven recipients of the CEOAB regranting program and said the county allocated $55,000 for the awards, consisting of four $10,000 grants and three $5,000 grants.

The grants were selected from 15 applications. "We had 15 applications for that CEOAB regranting process," said Peggy, a county staff member involved in the review. Staff reported a highest possible score of 12 under their rubric and summarized the score distribution across applicants.

The nut of the decision: the awards are intended to support small local businesses and tourism-related enterprises. County staff said winners range from a vendor seeking a laser cutter for tourism products to a microbrewery needing fencing to meet state alcohol-service rules.

Selection details and recipients - Total program funding: $55,000, allocated as four $10,000 grants and three $5,000 grants. - $5,000 recipients (three): Justin von Eberstein (business named Altering Substances; grant for a laser cutter for engraved tourism products — review noted the business should consider a name change to avoid confusion), Flaming Gorge Brew Company (Brian Tedesco; funding to complete required fencing for outdoor patio seating so the business can continue serving alcohol outdoors), and Forbes Family Farm (equipment to prevent sows from rolling on piglets). - $10,000 recipients (four): Steven Wood (trailer to carry and store plumbing inventory), Sweet and Bubbly (equipment and cold storage to expand production and catering capacity and to provide year-round employment), Carol Slaw (outdoor coverings/pavilion to protect rental recreational vehicles that bring tourists and support other businesses), and Culet Mountain Resort (a commercial-grade espresso machine and related equipment to support a year-round espresso/creamery operation).

Two alternates were named in case awardees cannot complete their projects: Lisa Roundy and Stephanie Rose (a new floral business seeking greenhouse capacity) and Sandy Collett of Flaming Gorge Hideout (signage to draw visitors). Staff said these two would be next in line if a primary recipient is unable to fulfill their award conditions.

Scoring and administration Peggy said the review included third-party input from the Duchesne County Economic Development director during rubric review. "The total was $55,000 so we have 4 $10,000 grants and 3 $5,000 grants," she said. She also gave the committee's score distribution: one 12, one 11, one 10, two 9s, four 8s, one 7, two 6s and one 5.

Staff emphasized the awards are reimbursable: "100% reimbursable. They have to put their money up, pay for it, bring the receipts back in. We confirm ... before the reimbursements are made," Peggy said. She added that she is preparing standard contracts and will inspect projects (including photographs) before releasing reimbursements.

Lessons and recommended changes Staff and reviewers recommended several procedural changes to improve future rounds: provide a short Q&A or guidance session for applicants to level the playing field; raise the required applicant match from 10% to 20%; allow a minimum and maximum request (for example $3,000–$10,000) rather than fixed grant amounts; shorten the character limit in the application to encourage succinct answers; and add rubric questions to better distinguish middle-scoring applications.

County staff also discussed records and disclosure. Peggy said review findings will be provided to applicants on request but that detailed third-party reviewer comments on unsuccessful applications would not be published. She flagged that applications contain contact information and other business details that must be retained and, where appropriate, protected under GRAMA rules.

Why it matters County staff said the regrant program supports local business capacity and tourism-related services that generate transient room tax (TRT) revenue and other local economic activity. Several awardees told reviewers their projects would create or preserve seasonal and year-round jobs and support other local businesses (for example, RV rentals that generate bookings at local campgrounds).

Next steps Staff said they will finish contract language in the next few days, notify winners and place alternates on standby. They also recommended offering an applicant information session and posting clearer application-format requirements to reduce technical submission errors in future cycles.

Ending: The commission moved from the CEOAB regranting discussion to the next agenda item after staff closed the presentation and answered procedural questions.