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QUARTERLY REPORT: July-September 2018
Seeking San Juan County Economic Development Board Members...
San Juan County is looking for engaged and enthusiastic county citizens to participate on the Economic Development Board. The San Juan County Economic Development Board will be comprised of private businesses, public institutions, and elected positions. Board members will serve three-year terms. The board will be selected and appointed by the San Juan County Commission. The initial directive of this board will be to create bylaws; review and advise on the San Juan County Strategic Economic Development Plan; and development of a mission of retention and recruitment.

Letters of interest should be submitted by Friday, September 21, 2018 . Board selection will be made September 25th. All interested parties will be notified of the selection by September 28th. For more information please contact Natalie Randall, nrandall@sanjuancounty.org or 435-587-3235. Interested parties, please submit a letter of interest to Natalie Randall PO Box 490, Monticello UT 84535 or nrandall@sanjuancounty.org
Karen and Doug Whipple sat down for a chat about their newest venture, a steak and BBQ restaurant recently opened in Monticello that includes a full liquor license. When asked about the philosophy behind this new adventure, Doug indicated, “We like to keep growing and getting better at what we do.” Doug also added “What’s important is customer service, providing it for locals and for tourists.”

Many locals and countless tourists have had the pleasure of experiencing both locations of The Peace Tree over the years and report that these guys live up to the customer-service hype. The new restaurant will be open from Thursday through Monday from 5 pm to 10 pm and is available by reservation for groups and meetings of up to 70 people. Having attended two such meetings in the recent past, it’s clear that the service, the food and the drinks are stellar, what you’d expect from experienced successful restaurateurs.

The restaurant has both traditional table seating and a concrete bar which has seating on both sides so you can face your friends or group you’re with and carry on a conversation over drinks without having all of the people you’re with in a line ten people long against a bar. There are also four televisions that will display different sporting events located conveniently throughout the restaurant.

When asked about the goals of the venture, Karen indicated “To fill a community need. To create jobs. To bring something that wasn’t here before.” Karen and Doug expressed gratitude for the community and the people within it that have made up their workforce and have helped make this dream a reality. Karen indicates that 12-15 new jobs have been created.

Gift certificates are available and future plans include potentially adding live music. Doug and Karen invite you to experience their new restaurant in Monticello.

The new restaurant is located at 496 N Main Street and can be reached by phone at (435) 587-2255.
We're Proud to Introduce TWO New Partners!
BEAR UPDATE

BEAR grant awarded for FY 2019, look for future BEAR projects in San Juan County designated by signage bearing the logo you see to the left of this update.

Can you find the sign from a 2018 project pictured to the left?
The 4 Corners Future Forum reached out in August with a survey in an effort to hear from communities throughout the region about what is important and needed where you live. A high level overview of the results from the survey are provided in the link below.
UTAH'S CANYON COUNTRY UPDATE
The San Juan County Economic Development & Visitor Services office is currently in the process of doing a full re-design on both the See & Do Guide, and the San Juan County- Utah’s Canyon Country Guides. Lodging, restaurant, and guiding businesses who wish to update or make changes to their listings can contact the EDVS office at: 435-587-3235 or info@utahscanyoncountry.com
The Dinosaur Museum in Blanding, celebrated their 23rd year open to the public on July 4th, 2018, and was recently featured in two publications. First, the museum was named the ‘Sight of the Week’ on RoadsideAmerica.com , and was rated ‘Worth a Detour’ by this online guide to offbeat tourist attractions. The museum was also included in an article titled, “Land Before Time’ in the Sept/Oct print and online issues of Home & Away, a AAA publication distributed in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. The Dinosaur Museum is open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm from April 15th- October 15th each year.
During Gov. Gary R. Herbert’s 2017 State-of-the-State address, he challenged Utah businesses to build 25,000 jobs throughout rural Utah in the next four years. This initiative brings partners from all corners of the state to engage with rural communities to help solve some of the challenges those communities face. Be sure to join us and follow us on tour and through social media with the hashtag #25kJobs. From this initiative there have been new initiatives/programs rolled out by GOED and legislation including the REDI program and the Rural Online Initiative (ROI) . Both initiatives/programs have identified San Juan County as a participant.

More specifically to San Juan County an initial Strategic Plan was outlined including the focus areas of Broadband, Transportation, Diversification of economy and workforce, Business expansion and retention, as well as a celebration of culture and heritage. The Strategic Plan can be reviewed below. This will be one of the primary tasks for the newly established San Juan County Economic Development Board to review.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the availability of $85 million for YouthBuild programs. YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship initiative supporting at-risk youth ages 16-24 through education and skill development opportunities for in-demand jobs. Funding is provided to expand public- and nonprofit-sponsored YouthBuild programs with 85 awards anticipated throughout the country. Awards will be granted from $700,000 to $1.1 million with a 25 percent match requirement. Grant recipients with FY2017 funding are not eligible to apply. Applications are due September 18. Click here for the funding notice.
Does your town or city have an underused public space that would be ideal for outdoor concerts? The Levitt Foundation is now accepting applications for the Levitt AMP [Your City] grant program through September 25. Each year, the Levitt Foundation awards $25K matching grants to up to 15 U.S.-based nonprofits serving small to mid-sized towns and cities to present the Levitt AMP Music Series, 10 free concerts that inject new life into public spaces and create vibrant community destinations. Click here for more information and to apply.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA-RD) is seeking applicants for priority points consideration under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) program. To receive priority points, applicants submit proposals which detail projects supporting regional economic development plans in rural areas. If selected, points will be awarded to listed projects and recognized by USDA for Rural Development funding. Applications are due September 30. Click here for more information.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a notice on a sector-based apprenticeship program. The program, Scaling Apprenticeship through Sector-Based Strategies, aims to increase apprenticeship opportunities in new industry sectors. DOL will award $150 million towards 15 to 30 apprenticeship programs. The agency will prioritize applicants that seek to expand apprenticeships within industries with few available learning opportunities and apprenticeships for small to medium-sized businesses. Proposals are due October 16. Click here for the funding notice.

Here's a handy sheet that describes the most popular funding options available in San Juan County . You'll also find links to requiring funding below.
Upcoming Dates and Events

September
20 Event Marketing Grant Application Deadline
22 Bears Ears Education Center Grand Opening
24 Abajo Foothills Trail System Grand Opening

October
4 Personal Financial Literacy (BRC)
4-6 Utah Rock Art Research Association Annual Symposium
11 Branding and Marketing in a Rural Community (BRC)
12 Branding and Marketing in a Rural Community (BRC)
19-21 Bluff Arts Festival
26 Shop Main Street America (Flyer Below)

November
29 Event Marketing Grant Application Deadline
Also of Interest...
JOIN OUR TEAM!
San Juan County Economic Development and Visitor Services along with the San Juan County Clerk's office is currently looking to hire on a part-time with possibility of full-time staff to assist with a variety of administrative and clerical duties between our two offices. Closes Sept. 28, 2018.

Human Resources
117 South Main Street, PO Box 9
Monticello UT 84535
435-587-3225
Cheers,
San Juan County EDVS