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Advisory board recommends reallocating rural grant funds to Moab Community Child Care
Summary
The Grand County Economic Development Advisory Board unanimously recommended that approximately $63,500 in rural county grant funds previously tied to the Chamber be prioritized for Moab Community Child Care to support classroom expansion, equipment and workforce development; the city’s dispersed parking project was listed as a secondary option.
The Grand County Economic Development Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend that the County Commission redirect remaining rural county grant funds — roughly $63,500 — to Moab Community Child Care (MCC) to expand child‑care capacity and workforce supports.
Board members discussed several options before the vote, including using the funds to help the City of Moab complete its dispersed parking project or to support after‑school programs. County staff explained the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity prefers funds to be spent (not merely encumbered) before the June 30 reporting deadline and that the board should prioritize projects that can show concrete progress. The board asked staff to forward a prioritized list and a letter explaining the committee’s reasoning to the County Commission.
Rob, representing Moab Community Child Care, summarized the organization’s proposal and budget, saying, “We have a maybe a 2 page proposal that you guys have probably seen,” and described three budget buckets: workforce training, modest backup coverage and capital for a new classroom/infant center. He told the board MCC currently operates two center locations in donated church spaces, serves about 30 children daily and anticipates near‑term equipment purchases (an estimated $20,000) and initial planning that could be reported to the state by June.
County staff cautioned that completing a large building project within five months would be unrealistic, but said the state values evidence that funds are dedicated to projects under way. Staff also offered to circulate draft contract language and reporting requirements the board could use when making the commission recommendation.
Members who supported MCC emphasized the program’s readiness to use seed dollars for capital items and workforce supports. Chris Wilson moved to make MCC the board’s top recommendation and Jasmine Duncan seconded. After additional discussion about optics and the state’s expectations for funding diversity, the board voted in favor; the chair announced, “That makes it unanimous.”
The board asked staff to present the recommendation to the County Commission with clear documentation of the prioritized list, reporting expectations and the governor’s office guidance that this round is likely the last for the recipient. The Commission will make the final decision on reallocating the funds.
What happens next: staff will finalize the recommendation letter and report language for the County Commission and circulate the draft reporting requirements to the board and MCC so the recipient can plan for timely expenditures and state reporting.
