Daggett County is offering the 2024 Local Business Grant to support local economic growth, infrastructure development, and business expansion. Administered by the County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board (CEO Board), the grant program provides $55,000 in total funding, distributed across seven awards: four grants of $10,000 each and three grants of $5,000 each. The initiative is aimed at projects that demonstrate a strong Return on Investment (ROI) and address economic priorities such as infrastructure improvements, business recruitment, or expansion efforts within the county.

Applications for the grant are open from November 11, 2024, to December 18, 2024, with a strict submission deadline of 5:00 PM on the closing date. Applications must be completed in full and submitted online. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified by January 17, 2025, and contracts will be signed by January 31, 2025. Once the contract is in effect, grant-funded projects must be completed within ten months.

Eligibility criteria require that the business be located and operate within Daggett County, with all funds used exclusively within the county. The grant operates as a reimbursement program, meaning businesses must submit receipts or invoices for approved expenses to receive funding, with reimbursement processing taking up to 30 days. Applicants must provide a 10% cash match for the requested grant amount, and this match must be spent before grant funds are made available. Additional required documentation includes a "Letter of Good Standing" from the Utah State Tax Commission and a current business license, if applicable. Businesses must also submit a completed budget worksheet as part of their application.

Certain projects and expenses are ineligible for funding. Grants cannot be awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and funds cannot be used for payroll, utilities, administrative costs, or any expenses incurred before the contract is signed. If minor adjustments to the project become necessary after the grant contract is signed, the changes must be approved by both the CEO Board and County Commissioners, provided the overall project scope remains consistent.

Grant recipients are required to submit a progress update at the six-month mark and upon project completion. Reports must include documentation such as receipts, invoices, photos, and, if applicable, an updated budget showing current expenditures. Noncompliance with reporting requirements or misuse of grant funds may result in repayment obligations to Daggett County.

All completed and eligible applications will be reviewed by an independent third-party economic development board outside of Daggett County. The board will score applications using a published rubric, and awards will be finalized by the County Commissioners during a public meeting. Approved businesses may begin their projects once all parties have signed the contract.

To apply, businesses should first obtain a "Letter of Good Standing" from the Utah State Tax Commission, which may take up to 10 business days to process. Applicants must also provide a current business license, if required by law, and complete the budget worksheet available on the Daggett County website. All necessary documents must be uploaded to the online application portal by the deadline. For additional guidance, businesses can refer to resources provided on the county’s website, including the scoring rubric and budget worksheet instructions. This grant program demonstrates Daggett County’s dedication to fostering local economic development and supporting businesses in achieving sustainable growth.