Show end of an era The end of an nn era of growth for Moab and Southeastern Utah came camo last week reek with the closing of the Mi Vida mine located In 1952 by Charles A Steen Discovery Dis covert covery of the tho famous ore one deposit in the Big I Ir Indian Idian dian mining district marked the first big body of ri rich h ore to be discovered anywhere in the uranium industry and paved tho the way for much of the areas area's growth during the tho past decade Following the Mi U Vida strike other ore bodies were uncovered in the tho same general area of northern San Juan county the the uranium processing mill mUl at Moab was constructed constructed con con- at a cost of some 8 million and some somo to 1000 people in the Moab area became beneficiaries of uranium connect ed paychecks The strike pushed Moab to its most rapid rap id growth Schools became crowded and others were built Subdivisions grew up on onal al aU alt sides of the community And found themselves in a position of national prominence In a few short months the complexion of the community changed from tural to industrial Although the tho prosperity and size of the community developed in a hurry it took tooka a number of years before the community could begin to catch up with itself Industrial Indus trial developments in other industries subsequently subsequently sub sub- have solidified the community and for the tho first time since the beginning of the boom the town has experienced its slow economic times as well as the good ones Mi Vida is closed but Moab is a long way from being left in a position of many western west ern mining towns when the bonanza ended The town has matured Its economy is better better bet bet- ter this year than it was a year ago according ac ac- according cording to a state economic survey It is probably the most modern modem small community ity sty in the State of Utah and filled with optimistic residents actively seeking a balanced balanced bal bal- we well diversified economic future The Tho era of exciting boom has ended But we are confident the next decade w will I pro pro- produce produce duce much In the tho way of betterment for this community and diversification will make it last Jast |