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Redevelopment Agency says $180,000 Hometown Scholars funding will likely end as tax increment sunsets
Summary
The RDA presented a proposed $180,000 annual contribution to the University of Utah Hometown Scholars program, noting about half covers housing for four units and the remainder funds scholarships for West Valley City residents; staff warned this may be the last year of RDA funding as the City Center project area's tax increment expires.
Jonathan Spring Meer, Redevelopment Agency director, briefed the council on renewing the RDA's $180,000 annual contribution to the University of Utah Hometown (Hometown Scholars) program, a partnership that began in 2017.
Spring Meer said roughly half of the annual contribution supports housing (rent and utilities) for four student units and the remainder funds scholarships for qualifying West Valley City residents. "Last year we did 24 scholarships...and seven of those graduated last year," he said, adding the program has produced roughly 75-80 graduates over its lifetime. He cautioned the council that the City Center project-area funding that pays for the program will soon sunset and this may be the last year the RDA can fund the program at current levels.
Spring Meer and staff discussed looking for alternate scholarship models that could broaden eligibility beyond a single university and ensure continuity for residents if RDA funding ends. Council members asked how many scholars the money supports and Spring Meer said the most recent year supported 24 scholarships, supplemented by other program funding.
