Emery County board approves applying for RCOG grant to upgrade incubator buildings

The Emery County Economic Development Board voted to submit an intent‑to‑apply and then an application for a Rural County Opportunity Grant (RCOG) to fund repairs and upgrades to an incubator site comprised of several former weed & mosquito buildings.

Board members described proposed grant work to include roof repairs, a bathroom for the shop building, painting, a garage door for the storage building, HVAC/air‑conditioning units for tenant spaces and general grounds cleanup. Local stakeholders described current occupants (a bouldering group, two small businesses producing artisan goods and a climbing‑wall builder) and said rent arrangements are a mix of cash and in‑kind work.

Commissioner Brock Johansen moved to apply for the RCOG grant and said the goal is to preserve county property and keep buildings usable; Jordan Leonard seconded the motion. After a brief discussion about rental rules and expectations for incubator participants, the board called the question and recorded affirmative replies; the motion passed.

Deborah (county/rural outreach) said the intent‑to‑apply triggers a required consultation with grant staff and that the consultation was scheduled for the following day; staff also confirmed the request is competitive but that the relatively modest ask could be advantageous. The board directed staff to proceed with the application and to clarify rental terms and exit/transition expectations for incubator tenants.