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Show ligi Page A2 (Sfe Etmcg-nbepgnh- -- -- cnt nni -i T'f rjf' 1114; rrijniif nfHiim- '" W0Hp Thursday, October 29, 1998 Small business development center will help diversify economy by Franklin Seal staff writer Utah Representative from District 71, Keele Johnson, and other state and local officials gathered at a press conference last Friday to inaugurate the new Moab office of the Small Business Development Center which will open its doors sometime between the end of November and the first of the new year. The Moab center, located in the Moab Higher Education Center at 125 West 200 South, will be the twelfth such center to open in the state. Once staff members are hired, the center will be open for free coun- seling and assistance to any resident who is opening or improving their business. The center, which will provide most services free, or for a substantially reduced fee, is supported by federal Small Business Administration funds with help from the College of Eastern Utah and Utah State University. The primary goal of the program is to boost local economic development, especially by diversifying it. I think our main problem here in Moab is we have all our eggs in one basket with the travel and rec- reation industry, Johnson said in his address to the small crowd gathered under a white tent on the parking lot. And this center can help diversify the economy. He added that many rural communities lose their young people because they leave to get higher education, and because there arent enough, or the right kinds of jobs. The center will be of critical help on both scores because its existence will not only help incubate new businesses, such as light manufacturing or information processing, but also, the staff of the center will likely teach classes for both CEU and USU, thereby strengthening the local higher education offerings. It will be a real good interface between our business degrees and the real world, said Steve Hawks, director of Moabs USU programs. The other really good plus for us down here is this will support the development of the Higher Education Center. I think whats important now, is that people begin using it, Johnson said. And according to Bill Olderage, head of the regional SBDC office in Blanding, that shouldnt be a problem. He said one of the principal reasons Moab is getting the new center is because theres been so much demand for the service. Last year 68 local Moab clients used the program, But first he has to find the person who will staff the center. So far, he and the others involved in the process, have narrowed the field down to two applicants, neither from Moab, who will be brought in for interviews within the next few weeks. Tailings Continued from nuclear issues. the millions of Colorado River water users in California, Nevada and Arizona stir their congressional delegates to act. All we want is a trustworthy study on the effects of groundwater contamination, said Merrell. The way theyve been sampling it is not scientifically correct." Said Salmon, They wanted to know if we wanted go with a Superfund designation. They warned that if we go down the Superfund trail Page A1 ther demands that the standards for what is a safe level of contamination should not only include radionucliedes and radon, but also heavy metals and other hazardous materials, and states that those levels should be in accord with those set by state and federal regulations such as those promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The county resolution also asks for more stringent studies and inspections of the site than have been conducted so far. And, as a last measure, it demands a place at the table, equal to that of the NRC for implementation of any reclamation plan, and requests that the State of Utah have a similar position. The county asked the Moab City Council to pass a joint resolution on the issue, but the council tabled the motion at its last meeting. The following day, however, they reconsidered, and all members of the city council and the mayor signed a letter stating unequivocal support for the ioint resolution on the tailings pile. It is expected they will pass an official resolution of some kind on the issue at their next meeting. Representing Grand County at in Salt Lake City were County Council Chairman Harvey Merrell, County Administrator Dave Hutchinson, and Jim Salmon, chairman of the Solid Waste District who was also recently appointed special advisor to the county council on the KIM&RLY SCHAPPERT pow-wo- Zones Continued from Page A1 credit can be claimed. And the state will grant a further $200 tax credit if the new employee is covered by a company-sponsore- d health insur- ance program. Other tax breaks are available for rehabilitating vacant buildings and investment in new equipment. The Utah Enterprise Zone Program, started in 1988, targets rural counties and small cities. The aim is FOR COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 agree Grand County is a 'wonderful place to live. Kim Schappert hopes to keep it that way by serving on your County Council. We all Running a business, while raising a family in Moab for the last 12 years, has taught Kim a sense of balance between sensible growth, and quality of life. The next four years will be an extremely important time for our country. Growth, environmental and family issues are concerns fof us Oil. Your vote can go a long way to assure that Grand County remains a safe, healthy place to live. Help give balance to Grand County. I t Vote j iet Kim Schappert on November 3 INSERT Grand County and Moab launched an economic development plan two years ago, targeting outdoor gear manufacturing. That focus has shifted recently toward also promoting opportunities for existing local businesses to grow. The enterprise zone designation fits well into that plan. The enterprise zone can be important, stated Hutchinson. It gives us something solid, an incentive that benefits local businesses Election is Nov. 3 Continued from Page A1 challenging incumbent Bruce D. Louthan. Incumbent David Olsen is running unopposed. Six propositions to change Utahs constitution face the voters this year. All except Proposition No. That 5, are fairly particular issue is aimed at making it unconstitutional to pass issues pertaining to wildlife, placed on the ballot by taxpayer initiative, unless a majority vote supports two-thir- Poltical Advertisement) r to enhance economic development of state areas outside the Wasatch Front and Washington County. Rural Utahs poverty rates and unemployment often far exceed the state average. The delegation met first with Ted Stewart, chief of staff for Gov. Mike Leavitt. We told him, the NRC is making a premature decision on the pile, and if we dont get a better groundwater study done before they decide, weve had it, Merrell reported. Stewart said that he was going to pass the information on to the Governor. The group also had a separate meeting with members from the staffs of Sen. Bob Bennett, Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Chris Cannon. well be stigmatized with the Superfund label. Harvey and Dave said, Were already stigmatized with the Atlas label, so whats the difference? However, if we follow the Superfund criteria, it will finally give everybody a clear insight to what the contaminants are, the possible routes of exposure, and finally the risks to those receptors by a release of those Moving the issue onto the front burner The Grand County representatives were moderately enthusiastic about the reception they received. Its presented to them. The ball is in their court now, said Merrell. Added Salmon, It appears theyre willing to join us. They feel Grand County needs to be at the table and most certainly the state needs to be there, too. The Governors office prom- contaminants. Rumors squelched: no haz-ma- t waste dump sought All three county representatives wanted to squelch any rumors that their trip might have been connected to an attempt to line up Grand County as a possible hazardous waste dump ised to get back to us very soon. Hutchinson thought the response about the tailings pile Senator Hatch gave during a recent interview at The Times Independent was luke warm. So he raised the issue in the discussion with Hatchs aide. We told his staff person wed like to see that response change, Hutchinson said. I think now that they have this commitment from the county, with support from the city, it will bring it onto the front burner. Theres a lot to do. Weve got to get the downstream states going on this, added Hutchinson, referring to site. Ever since a special meeting was called about the tailings pile involving county and city officials prior to the last county council meeting, county officials have been hearing speculation that the Solid Waste Special Service District may be trying to set itself up to get the contract work for moving the pile to Klondike Flats near the current landfill, with a possible eye to continuing somehow in the hazardous waste dump business. Salmon was adamant that no such move was afoot. Absolutely not, he said. What we are doing is patterning ourselves after the successful Vitro reclamation in Salt Lake County. When that pile was moved, it was moved to a dedicated site on state land in Tooele County. From that entombment theres never been another bit of waste thats gone in there. Were not looking to get into the hazardous waste business. Said Merrell, The Klondike site would be the place to take the tailings because of the lack of permeability in the Mancos shale. Anything s possible. I think thats stupid. Its possible, but I dont think its very probable. Our first thing is to insure the health and welfare of those living and visiting this county. Added Hutchinson, I doubt that a majority of the community would want to see a long-terhazardous waste storage facility. Theres no hidden agenda that I know of. the potential political muscle that could be thrown into the ring should that are already here. It also will help us in an effort to attract outside businesses that are outdoor drop on out to Spanish Valley Nursery Frl & Sat for Apples & Pears from sports related, or other businesses, as part of our economic diversification. The economic development target has been bringing to Moab pere manent, jobs that pay significantly more than typical tourist industry employment. The selling points of the area are the beauty and natural character of the landscape, the benefits of livihiri h SYnhll town, and recreation opportunities. But that hasnt been enough. When it comes to incentives, we really havent had them, continued Hutchinson. We actually have higher costs of doing business here. We dont offer some of the telecommunication services at the rates you can get in a big city. That can be a drawback when you are trying to build local businesses and attract businesses from outside. But Hutchinson concluded that the enterprise zone, with tax benefits unavailable to businesses in Salt Lake or Provo or St. George, could help in turning that situation around. non-touri- st MONKEYTOWN FRUITS! S12bOX full-tim- until New Hours:ja-- 5 Mon-SNov 14, then by appt until Spring We Now do State Inspections!!! See us for Brakes, Shocks, Struts 8 fll.li your under-ca- r service work! them at the polls. In statewide polls, U. S. Sen. Bob Bennett is shown to be leading his Democratic challenger, Scott Leckman and Independent Gary R. Van Horn by wide margins. Likewise, Congressman Chris Cannon faces opposition by Independent Will Christensen. No Democrat filed in that race. Cannon is being favored to win by a wide margin. Persons with questions about polling should contact the office of Grand County Clerk Fran Townsend for information. ES3DQ3 qF) HOORnES 1026 S. Main St. Moab UT 84532 435-719-24- 46 435-719-24- 49 Fax Elect Maxs Dad Dtwid. ufjo Znstmti Write-I- n BALLOT CARO INSIDE 4 based out of Blanding, with just one day a week devoted to Moab. Given that level of demand, his conservative estimate is that more than one hundred clients will use the Moab center in its first year. According to Marion Bentley of USU extension sOervices, no candidates from the area applied for the position. There will be about one fullposition, time, and one half-tim- e with funding for the centers first year pegged at $45,000. KATHRYN JACKSON ft WRITE-I- N jV To BALLOT County Council at Large vote on the ballot, write in BOTH the titU of the office and the candidate's name on the lines below. J & V- V-- for a person NOT OFFICE CANDIDATE Write this on the Envelope that holds your NAME ff ballot!! -- v V' sla Or use the sticker that will be delivered to your home Stick pre-print- With Jackson! ed for Grand County School Board Thanks For Your Support! j District Paid Political Adv. J M ( Pud Political t Tu Tb rw Mil Itrrn X- - 4 5 AdoaniiAfiV) JUL |