Planning commission backs city application for RCOG funding to extend utilities at Gunnison Innovation Park

The Gunnison Planning & Zoning Commission voted Sept. 24 to recommend that the city apply for a Rural Community Opportunity Grant (RCOG) administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity to extend water and sewer service to a parcel in the Gunnison Innovation Park. The recommendation now goes to the city for formal application to the GOEO.

City staff (identified in the transcript as Dennis) told commissioners the project’s immediate scope would extend sewer east of State Route 199 and north to a planned intersection and then extend utilities east to a trust-owned parcel in the park. “The total project cost is about $648,000,” Dennis said, adding that “the grant maximum grant award is $600,000 but we have to come up with a 20% match.” Commissioners were told the trust administration would contribute $90,000 toward the match.

Why it matters: extending sewer and water to that parcel would make the site marketable for industrial and light-manufacturing tenants and support the city economic-development goals embedded in the general plan. Staff said the utilities would include water and sewer but not power; utilities were sized anticipating future park build-out.

Details and questions: At least one commissioner asked what kinds of users the property might attract; staff said the parcel will be marketed for industrial or management uses and that the trust tends to lease land rather than sell it. Staff also cited a prior two-year-old estimate that had placed the broader Innovation Park project at about $3.8 million for a larger phase of work.

The commission moved to recommend that the city apply for the GOEO RCOG funding to make the stated improvements, the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff reminded the commission that the application deadline is Oct. 31 and asked members to provide any requested information promptly so staff can complete the application.

Note on numbers: staff stated both that a 20% match was required and that the trust would provide $90,000. The transcript also includes staff language suggesting a $192,000 20% figure in one passage; 20% of $648,000 is $129,600. The transcript contains this inconsistency; the commission did not resolve it at the meeting. The application materials prepared for the city should reconcile the math and specify the final match sources.

Next step: The commission’s recommendation moves to the city for formal application and, if the city files by Oct. 31, staff will proceed with the application and confirm the finalized match amount and sources.