Local businesses receive state funds

Four businesses in southeast Utah are among a handful of businesses to receive incentives from the State of Utah in the first quarter of 2009. The Rural Fast Track projects are part of the state effort to encourage economic development in rural areas.

Businesses in rural areas apply for the grants if they need money to expand and create new jobs. If the business is selected to receive grant money, the state will match half of the expansion expenses, up to $50,000.

Cedar Mesa Products in Blanding was awarded an $8,500 post-performance grant for its tenant, MG Manufacturing to convert power and add additional machines to keep up with demand. The power upgrade allows the company to run more than one machine at a time.

Young’s Machine Company in Monticello was awarded a $37,500 post-performance grant to help purchase a boom truck to work on equipment at remote locations. Young’s Machine services underground mining equipment and manufactures mining trucks.

The business has been in existence for more than 50 years and this is the first service truck that they have purchased.

Moab Brewery has received a $34,130 grant to expand production and packaging of its beers for wholesale. The company sells eight different lagers and ales in its Main Street restaurant and some of its beers in grocery stores throughout the state. Some of the grant money will be used to hire a new employee.

The fourth local business to receive incentive funds is Triassic Stone of Moab. Triassic Stone received $19,305 for new equipment to expand manufacturing operations. Three jobs will be created with the incentive.