By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Businesses across the Carbon Corridor gathered at the Carbon Country Club on Thursday, April 17, for the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon. As is tradition, three businesses and organizations were honored at this event, with Custom Fit, Packard Wholesale and the Price City Renaissance Festival all earning a moment in the spotlight.
First up was Angela Murray, the regional director for Custom Fit. Murray explained that she was over Carbon, Emery and Grand counties. “I may be your new best friend,” exclaimed Murray,” because I have funding available for your business.”
Custom Fit is a state-funded program that aims to assist businesses in assessing training needs, procuring and/or facilitating training, and helping pay for up to 50% of approved training costs. “The mission of the custom fit program is to help grow Utah’s economy by supporting the workforce by providing funding for Utah for-profit businesses to take continuing education training.”
Qualifying training includes anything that will aid in business expansion and retention. To qualify for this program, businesses must be for-profit, have a current business license and pay taxes to the state. More information is available online or by contacting Murray at angela.murray@usu.edu.
Murray poses with her Chamber Plaque
Following Murray, Travis Packard of Packard Wholesale entered the fray. Based in Moab, the company has been under the ownership of the Packard family since 1987, when Vern Packard started the operation. “Back in 1985, my dad was a uranium miner and saw that the mining was going out and the uranium money was going out. And he decided to purchase a little business, which was a truck,” explained Packard.” He would sell cigarettes, candy and knickknacks out the back of this truck. He would drive the truck around from store to store, go in, and see if he could sell a candy bar or package of cigarettes. And it just evolved over time into what it is today.”
Now, the company focuses on janitorial supplies and employs over 20 employees for annual and seasonal work. New to the Carbon and Emery area, Packard Wholesale sells cleaning chemicals, supplies and tools to aid businesses in providing janitorial services.
“Over the years, we have tried to be local. I know it’s a big thing. What I’ve heard about Price and in Emery County is that people buy from local people, and I appreciate that we try and do everything that we can,” Packard said.” That’s why we’re members of the chamber. That’s why we support the schools and the people and help maintain those businesses here in this County. Because we believe in the same business values that you guys do.”
More information on Packard Wholesale is available online at packardwholesale.com.
Packard presented with his certificate of recognition
Megan Marshall, representing the Price City Renaissance Festival, rounded out the afternoon’s honorees. Discussing the festival’s origins, Marshall shared,” We started with 20 vendors on Main Street just because of a whim. But this sparked the fire with several community members who are equally passionate and equally nerdy about Renaissance festivals. And I think it surprised our entire community how many people came out. We went from 20 vendors our first year to 100 vendors the next year to 150 the next year, and the attendance has skyrocketed every year.”
The Renaissance Festival has activities for all ages, including falconers, fire-breathers and medieval combat. “This is a free community event. It’s family-friendly, so come out, jump on the bounce houses, go to the petting zoo and compete in the scavenger hunt. We aim to make this a fully immersive experience.”
A full schedule for the Price City Renaissance Festival is available on pricecityutah.com.
Marshall accepts the recognition from the chamber
Castle Country Radio would like to thank these businesses and organizations for their tireless service to the Castle Country Area.