SJC Rural County Grant

SJC Rural County Grant Banner

San Juan County Rural County Grant Program (RCGP) Instructions

2025

 

Purpose/Introduction

The San Juan County Rural County Grant Program (RCGP) is to address the economic development needs of San Juan County. Eligible projects may include:

  • Business recruitment, development, and expansion
  • Workforce training and development
  • Infrastructure and capital facilities improvements for business development

Grant Application Schedule and Submission Details

The application will open Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM MST and will close Friday, March 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM MST.

Selected awardees will be notified in April and given a deadline to complete the required paperwork to accept the award. The awardees will be announced on April 28th at the SJC Business Basecamp Expo & Conference. 

Applications will be submitted to San Juan County Economic Development through an online application portal, inside the portal scroll past the instruction to get to the application. Please, note an entity may only submit one application. 

➡️ access application

 

Questions and Contact Information

Questions can be directed to the Economic Development Office during business hours from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM MST. 

Phone: (435) 587-3235 ext. 4138

Email: thansen@sanjuancountyut.gov

Have a Question? ➡️Schedule a 15-minute meeting

Workshops will be available to answer questions and assist people in the application process on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, February 12, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM -  Monticello Coworking Space 
  • Wednesday, February 19, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM -  Bluff Community Center
  • Thursday, February 20, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM -   USU Blanding Arts and Events Center 

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients will be required to provide ongoing updates on their project's progress and financial accountability. Reporting criteria will be coordinated with the business but must include key details such as jobs created, development progress, and overall business status throughout the project’s duration.

These reports will be submitted to Talia Hansen, Economic Development Manager at thansen@sanjuancountyut.gov

Key Reporting Expectations:

  • Recipients will need to complete a final report and present their project in front of the CED Board only after the project has been fully completed or within 12 months from the fund distribution date, whichever comes first. Awardees will be provided with the CED Board Meeting schedule to coordinate their presentation.
  • Project Documentation: Businesses must document progress through photos taken at different project phases and maintain organized records of invoices and receipts that align with their approved application.
  • Quarterly and Final Reports: Recipients are required to submit quarterly progress reports until the final project report is completed. A structured report template will be provided.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be located in San Juan County and fall into one of the following categories:

  • For-profit businesses
  • Non-profit organizations

Tiered Funding & Match

San Juan County has grant funds available for qualifying projects. San Juan County will use a tiered funding system to better align grant opportunities with the size, stage of development, and economic impact potential of local businesses.

This structure will allocate resources more strategically, ensuring a higher return on investment (ROI) for the county. It provides flexibility for those prepared for expansion, renovation, or shovel-ready projects while assisting those in earlier stages.

Tiers 1 and 2 require a (20%) match Tier 3 has a (10%) match, with both cash and/or in-kind matches considered.

Application Requirements

The following documents are required for your application to be complete. 

  • Current W-9
  • Business License issued by San Juan County, a local municipality, or Navajo Nation (if applicable)  
  • IRS determination letter or TC-160 Utah Sales Tax Exemption Form (non-profits only)
  • Documentation of matching funds can be provide in a variety of ways, below are suggestions:
    • Cash Match:
      • Bank statements showing available funds
      • A letter from an investor or lender confirming financial commitment
      • Proof of personal or business funds designated for the project (e.g., financial statements)
      • Grant award letters from other funding sources
    • In-Kind Match: (non-cash contributions that have a measurable dollar value)
      • Donated labor or volunteer time – A letter stating the estimated value of the labor based on industry wages
      • Donated materials or equipment use – A letter from the donor specifying the contribution and its estimated value
      • Discounted services – An agreement from a contractor or service provider detailing the discount provided
      • Existing business assets used for the project – Proof of ownership and a valuation estimate

Applicants who provide the following optional supporting documentation will receive additional points in the evaluation process, though submission is not mandatory:

  • Profit and Loss Summary 
  • Letter of Support from a community representative or or an individual who will directly benefit from this project, highlighting the anticipated impact and significance of the initiative on local businesses, residents, or organizations
  • Applicants seeking funding for project or equipment purchases may receive additional points by providing at least three cost estimates or vendor quotes for the requested items

Tier 1: Large Business Growth Grants

Grant Ceiling: Up to $60,000

Grant Floor: $26,000

Tier 1 supports large businesses or projects with substantial growth potential. These grants focus on high-ROI initiatives, such as significant expansions, job creation, or major facility upgrades. A limited number of grants will be awarded in this tier, representing a substantial investment in the county's economic development.

Tier 2: Business Expansion or Revitalization Business Grants

Grant Ceiling: Up to $25,000

Grant Floor: $11,000

Tier 2 supports small to mid-sized businesses looking to expand or improve operations. This tier helps fund projects such as facility improvements, business expansions, or initiatives contributing to community revitalization, particularly for Main Street or road-facing businesses

Tier 3: Seed Money, Equipment, Project, and Small Business Grants

Grant Ceiling: Up to $10,000

Grant Floor: $250

Tier 3 focuses on startups and small businesses, providing seed money for new ventures or operational costs for small-scale projects. This tier prioritizes early-stage companies and entrepreneurship.

Ineligible Projects/Expenses

Projects or expenses will not be considered for funding if:

  1. The project is not located in San Juan County.
  2. The project includes short-term payroll, utilities, or other operating expenses that do not contribute to long-term business growth.
  3. The project does not align with the goals of the selected tier, including:
    • Tiers 1 & 2: Projects that fail to demonstrate tangible return on investment (ROI) through job creation, increased sales tax or transient room tax (TRT), or business development.
    • Tier 3: Projects that do not support entrepreneurship, early-stage business growth, or shovel-ready initiatives that drive immediate economic activity.
  4. The applicant is delinquent on property, sales, or TRT tax payments, does not have a valid business license or conditional use permit (if required), or is in violation of federal, state, or local regulations. 

Examples of Eligible Projects

Grant projects may include, but are not limited to:

All Tiers:

  1. New commercial building construction and/or expansion, repairs, and infrastructure improvements.
  2. New or upgraded equipment and/or machinery.
  3. Value-added agriculture expansion, such as processing, packaging, direct-to-consumer sales, online sales platforms, or new market development.
  4. New or underrepresented industries that diversify the local economy by introducing workforce training, business development, or industry sectors not currently established in San Juan County, such as advanced manufacturing, health and wellness, renewable energy, and sustainable technology.
  5. Training programs that help develop workforce skills, fill employment gaps, or create new business opportunities within the community.

Tier 3: Seed Money, Equipment, Project, and Small Business Grants

These grants are for new business just starting out or business that need help with small scale-projects to help them grow. Below are examples:

  1. Seed Money: Initial funding to launch new businesses or test ideas.
  2. Equipment: Purchase of essential tools or machinery necessary for business operations or expansion.
  3. Materials and Supplies: Procurement of raw materials, inventory, or essential supplies necessary for artisans, makers, or businesses to produce goods, create handcrafted products, or deliver services.
  4. Website Development: Creation or enhancement of websites to improve online presence, marketing, and customer engagement.
  5. Printed Marketing Materials and Signage: Design and production of brochures, business cards, banners, storefront signage, or other printed materials to support marketing efforts.
  6. Landscaping: Exterior beautification projects, such as landscaping around a business property, enhance curb appeal and attract customers.
  7. Small-Scale Projects: Minor renovations, pilot programs, or operational improvements that support early-stage or low-budget businesses.

Application Resource Documents

Thank you for taking the time to apply for this grant opportunity. We appreciate your commitment to growing your business and contributing to the local economy. Your hard work and dedication are what make our community thrive. 

FAQ

Question

"The Rural Grant Application states that applicants must be residents of San Juan County. I own property in the county, pay county and city taxes, and cover local utilities, but due to my circumstances, I do not currently reside in Monticello. Am I still eligible to apply?"

Answer

This grant is available to registered businesses in San Juan County rather than individual residents. Business owners who own commercial property and can verify sales tax revenue from their business—or from tenants who collect sales tax—are eligible to apply for building upgrade funding. If awarded, the owner must retain ownership of the property or lease it to tenants for at least three years. Additionally, the project location must be within San Juan County.

Question

I would like to do a profit and loss sheet does it matter how many years I do it for? 

Answer

We do not have a specific expectation for how many years back you provide your profit and loss statement, but including one can strengthen your grant application by demonstrating your business's financial health and management. The standard for most grants is 2-3 years, as this helps show trends in revenue, expenses, and overall growth, but if your business has only been open for one year, providing that single year is perfectly fine. While optional, a profit and loss statement can build credibility and help grant reviewers assess your business’s viability and sustainability.

Question

I don't have a profit and loss sheet is where could I get help with this? 

Answer 

I need to list out resources for the area to be able to prepare a profit and loss sheet.  Accountants or book keepers can help with this, additional organizations that may be able to provide additional resources include:

 

  • Printer-friendly version