Daggett County staff present draft Industrial and Rural Economy Blueprint, outline business, infrastructure and tourism priorities

Daggett County staff on Tuesday presented a draft Industrial and Rural Economy Blueprint that lays out goals and projects intended to expand local commerce, workforce capacity and tourism infrastructure.

The draft, introduced by a project presenter (Speaker 2), groups the work into four goals: attract and support businesses; develop the local workforce; improve infrastructure; and grow tourism. Speaker 2 said the blueprint is a brainstorming-based, draft product meant to be refined: "This is largely the product of a brainstorming session between the working team of the folks at the county," he said.

Why it matters: the plan names specific projects and strategies that could shape local investments and eligibility for grants. Among the projects listed are completing a Daggett County Business and Health Community Center, developing a health clinic and remodeling a Dutch John fire station, executing a Dutch John airport master plan to enable commercial and air-medical service, and targeted water and sewer upgrades in Manila to allow interconnection and development.

On business and workforce, the draft proposes steps such as expediting building-inspection services to reduce permitting delays, supporting light manufacturing tied to outdoor recreation, encouraging home-based businesses and promoting Utah State University—s remote-work "Role Online" initiative to increase enrollments for county residents.

Tourism proposals include expanding special events (Tower Rock Run, rodeos, Fourth of July), pursuing an Antelope Flats state park concept, developing multiuse trails and pursuing an International Dark Sky designation to support astrotourism. Staff also raised potential coordination with federal agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation on Flaming Gorge releases and the Division of Wildlife Resources on hunt-management options.

Commissioners pressed for precise wording on a few items. Several asked that the draft define or consistently style the term "smart growth" and correct localized place names and photographs used in the print materials. Speaker 1, who identified himself as a conservation officer, urged clearer language around wildlife-related proposals, saying the county should "work with the Division of Wildlife Resources to improve hunt quality," while noting such changes can trade off hunting numbers that support local businesses.

Next steps: staff said they will revise the draft to address the commissioners— editorial comments and return a revised version for potential adoption. The commission did not take a vote on the blueprint at the meeting.