GOED Board Meeting Highlight: Rural Fast Track Grants on a Roll

Pete CodellaNews

At the July 14 board meeting, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board of Directors approved a record ten rural Utah businesses for Rural Fast Track grants. The projects are expected to create more than 20 new jobs paying between 110 and 125 percent of the average wages in the nine counties affected.

“There’s good momentum for the Rural Fast Track program across the state. This month’s activities surpassed May’s eight post-performance grant awards,” said Linda Gillmor, associate managing director, Urban & Rural Business Services. “The companies are poised to bring job growth and capital investment to their communities, and they represent a range of markets including agricultural products, composites, business services and outdoor recreation.”

 

Bear Lake Cabin Rentals is a full service Property Management company based in Garden City, Rich County. The $50,000 grant is for the purpose of purchasing a new office space, warehouse and equipment building. The company expects to create one new full time position paying at least 110 percent of the county average wage. They also anticipate hiring several part time and seasonal positions. The project is estimated to cost $402,000.

Business Resolutions is a business consulting company based in Moab, Grand County. The $50,000 grant is for the purpose of constructing an addition to their current office building. The company expects to create four new full time positions paying at least 125 percent of the county average wage. The project is estimated to cost $299,630.

Capstone Concrete Design – based in Manti, Sanpete County – specializes in concrete counter tops, waterproof deck coatings, reflector enhancer epoxy floors, concrete restoration, and other industrial flooring systems. The $50,000 grants is for the purpose of constructing a new building to include production and warehouse space, office space and a showroom/customer space. The company expects to create three new full time positions paying at least 125 percent of the county average wage. The project is estimated to cost $150,000.

Conductive Composites is an advanced composites company based in Heber City, Wasatch County, and with operations in Cleveland, Emery County. The $50,000 grant is for the purpose of purchasing equipment to scale up and distribute carbon dioxide from their production facility in Cleveland. The company expects to create two new full time positions paying at least 110 percent of Emery county average wage, and one new full time position paying 115 percent. The project is estimated to cost $665,000.

Cox Honeyland is a honey manufacturer located in Logan, Cache County. It is a family owned and managed business dating back to beekeeping in the 1920s. The $48,574 grant is for the purpose of purchasing an automated fill line machine that can fill, lid and label honey products and bottles. The company expects to create one new full time position paying at least 110 percent of the county average wage. The project is estimated to cost $97,147.

Escape Adventures is an affiliate company to Moab Cyclery and is based in Escalante, Garfield County. They have been offering bike shop services and tour guiding since 1988. The $50,000 grant is for the purpose of purchasing four huts that will highlight a new hut-to-hut mountain biking, hiking and equestrian trail system stretching from Escalante to Brian Head. The company expects to create three new full time positions paying at least 110 percent of the Garfield county average wage and one position paying at least 115 percent. The project is estimated to cost $438,860.

Get In The Wild Adventures is an outdoor guiding and wilderness education company based in Hanksville, Wayne County. The $50,000 grant is for the purpose of purchasing a new building that will serve as the center of

operations for guiding and adventure tours in the region. The company expects to create one new full time position paying at least 110 percent of the Wayne county average wage as well as two guide positions that will pay $100/day. The project is estimated to cost $490,000.

Hansen and Associates Engineering Consultants – based in Brigham City, Box Elder County – offers a wide range of engineering and surveying services including engineering for several communities in northern Utah. The $26,533 grant is for the purpose of purchasing a new robotic survey equipment system that allows for increased productivity and accuracy. The company expects to create one new full time position paying at least 110 percent of the county average wage. The project is estimated to cost $53,067.

May Automotive is a full service auto repair, maintenance and towing company based in Nephi, Juab County. The $24,658 grant is for the purpose of purchasing reflashing diagnostic equipment and a modified low-clearance tow truck bed.  The company expects to create one new full time position paying at least 125 percent of the county average wage. The project is estimated to cost $49,316.

Mortimer Pallett – based in Smithfield, Cache County – buys used pallets from local companies, fixes them and resells them to other companies in Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. The $50,000 grant is for the purpose of purchasing a conveyor belt system to automate the production line and sort finished products. The company expects to create two new full time positions paying at least 115 percent of the Cache county average wage. The project is estimated to cost $221,234.

To see if a business in your rural county may be eligible for a Rural Fast Track grant, visit here