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Board recommends $50,000 seed/match for East Zion regional shuttle project to shore up access to Zion National Park
Summary
The CEO Board voted to recommend $50,000 to support early-stage development and matching funds for an East Zion transit and gateway project aimed at maintaining visitor access after Zion National Park announced restrictions on oversized vehicles.
Kane County's Economic Opportunity Board on Dec. 2 recommended $50,000 in seed or match funding to support development of a regional East Zion shuttle and gateway strategy intended to preserve visitor access and economic activity tied to Zion National Park.
Commissioner (Speaker 6) told the board the park has signaled it will no longer allow certain oversight or oversized vehicles into the park after mid-2026 and that the region needs an East-side gateway and a shuttle link to the park's visitor core. He described a multi-county effort with nonprofit and public partners (Zion Forever, the 5-county Association of Governments) seeking federal grants and private investment; smaller local seed funding strengthens those grant narratives.
The board discussed administration and beneficiaries: Speaker 6 said the 5-county AOG could administer initial grant match funding and that the county would likely retain and administer funds to ensure proper use; the board noted operating and maintenance costs for a full shuttle system could be high (Speaker 6 referenced O&M figures when scaled), which is why the board framed the request as nimble match money at this stage.
Speaker 2 moved to approve $50,000 and Speaker 11 seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. The board directed staff to include language clarifying county administration and intent to use funds as match in referrals to the county commission.
