The Rural County Grant Program for Carbon County has received grant funding from Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity again this year and are currently taking applications. Carbon County Economic Development & Tourism Director, Shanny Wilson took time to come to Castle Country Radio to discuss the details.

“We’re very fortunate that the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity grants us funding every year that we can put back into our county. So we have some funding available for businesses to apply for, it’s becoming more well known, which is awesome. Last year we had 27 applications come in, we were able to fund 20 of those. Most of those that came in got at least 50 percent of their ask, which is a good and bad thing right? Because more and more people are hearing about this, more and more people are applying but we’re still able to help them,” explained Wilson. The county are the ones assisting in the application process and accepting those applications. Eligible applicants include for profit businesses, non-profit organizations and local government entities.

Please note that those who apply early have a better chance of receiving funding and all applicants must be located in Carbon County. Wilson explains ideas on how to use the funding for your businesses, “So this can go towards renovations, they go towards upgrades, any type of economic impact within our community we want you to apply. If you’re looking for new machinery or equipment, if you want to do some renovations, if there’s things that you need to purchase, you want to expand, whatever that may be. If you go to our website https://www.carbonutah.com/ and find Economic Development in the departments tab, the Rural County Grant and all the information is right there.” Examples of projects/expenses that are not eligible for the Rural Grant Program is if project area is not located in Carbon County, short-term payroll, operating expenses, utilities, property taxes.

Applicants may be required to attend and present at a CED Board Meeting before final approval will be given. “We become really close to these businesses that are applying for funding, some have applied every year, we’re going into our fourth year of funding.  Again, we’re very lucky that we get this opportunity because its not like you are applying for money from up north where there’s 200 applications they’re looking at, you’re applying locally, it’s an easy process. We do become friends with these businesses and they come in and report to the board. The board, you know they make the final decision, ultimately make the final decisions, but they’re great to work with and they’re huge advocates for our community,” stated Wilson.

For further information about the Rural County Grant Program please call Shanny Wilson at (435) 636-3295 or email her at cced@carbon.utah.gov