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Commission postpones decision on Thompson Springs STAR grant; staff to return contract with benchmarks
Summary
Commissioners discussed long delays on an awarded STAR grant for a Thompson Springs café (ABC Thompson LLC) and directed staff to bring back a contract amendment with firm benchmarks and deadlines after hearing from the applicant about lost equipment, site‑plan issues and permitting delays. The commission voted to postpone and instructed staff to draft the amendment.
Grand County commissioners on May 19 reviewed the status of a STAR grant awarded to ABC Thompson LLC to open a café in Thompson Springs and opted to postpone a final decision while staff prepares a contract amendment that sets clear milestones and deadlines.
The applicant described a string of delays: multiple architect turnovers, water/septic permitting issues, lost equipment from a contractor’s inventory sale, and difficulty transmitting large design files into the county’s electronic system. The applicant said she has purchased substantial equipment out‑of‑pocket and reported roughly $30,000 remaining in the grant account while noting she has personally invested tens of thousands more.
County planning and building staff said a site plan acceptable to planning and engineering remained outstanding; staff convened multi‑department meetings earlier in the year and supplied a checklist of required items, but the necessary updated site plan and engineering documentation had not been filed in final form. The commission’s discussion centered on whether to recall the award or extend the contract term with firmer benchmarks.
A motion to revoke the $90,000 grant was introduced but commissioners ultimately approved a motion to postpone and direct staff to return with a contract amendment that includes specific deliverables and timelines. The commission emphasized the goal of seeing the café open but also the need to protect public funds and asked staff to include repayment language if benchmarks are not met.
Staff and commissioners indicated they will draft an amendment with milestones (site plan submission, DRT reviews, building permits) and a calendar deadline for returning to the commission; the commission voted to postpone and requested that the amendment be returned in a timely fashion for approval.
