In an effort to help local businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vernal Chamber of Commerce released some updates and information about a few grants that could be helpful. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), in an effort to support Utah’s energy businesses, received a grant allocation of $5 million dollars that will go to the state’s new Oil, Mining and Gas Grant Program. The way that the funds will be distributed is still being discussed but applications will open on September 15th. Visit the GOED website for more information. The program nicknamed Shop in Utah initially appropriated $25 million dollars and this month received an additional $20 million dollars and $10 million dollars from the initial ComRent app. To date, $31 million dollars in grants has been disbursed, $6 million is being reviewed in application, and close to $20 million is available. The Legislature also made updates to the COVID-19 Cultural Assistance grant program (known as Create In Utah) managed by the Department of Heritage & Arts; the COVID-19 Agricultural Operations grant program managed by The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food; and the COVID-19 Residential Housing Assistance program managed by the Department of Workforce Services.
