Carbon County Economic Update

Tyson Smith, Regional Economist

The Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) relies on several data sources to help describe the state of the economy. The most accurate data available is the nonfarm payroll employment information that is collected through the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. However, the resources required to gather data accurately come at the expense of timeliness, which results in a four to six month lag between the time these data are collected and when they are available to the public.

Other data are collected in a timelier manner, and these data (along with historical trends) provide a foundation to estimate current economic conditions. Economists at DWS rely heavily upon statistical models, surveys, and limited datasets to evaluate the economy in real-time. Some of those tools, like the county unemployment rates and initial weekly unemployment claims, are highlighted in this article.

The truth is that no single source of economic data exists that can appropriately profile the labor market in real-time. So, when evaluating regional economies it is important to understand the recent economic history of the area, while also using any up-to-date information available despite the limitations of present data.

Annual Profiles

The Workforce Research and Analysis division has updated information in the county Annual Profiles.

The information available in these Annual Profiles are separated by county and state and include:

• quick facts
• nonfarm employment
• unemployment
• major employers
• population
• demographics
• income and wages
• construction
• gross taxable sales
• county rankings

This data is updated on an annual basis, and dates can be found at the bottom of each tab. To print any of the visualizations, see the instructions here. For more information about this data, contact your regional economist.

New County Pages

See our new County Pages, each with their own URL for easy bookmarking. Find labor market information that has been divided into counties and regions for a quick look at each area.

Also find a new look for the Current Economic Snapshots (Carbon and Emery). These are economic snapshots are a two-page look at the current information for labor force, sales, building and unemployment insurance for each county in Utah, and are updated monthly after the Employment Situation.

These can be accessed on the Utah Economic Data page or on the Labor Market page under the "County Snapshots" link.

County seeks Uintah’s feedback on new Book Cliffs road study

Grand County Council unanimously approved a letter asking the Uintah County Commission to perform a feasibility study for building a paved road linking the Vernal area to the Moab area. Historically, proposals to pave a road from Vernal to Moab have hit dead ends. Let’s keep in mind that this is still just a feasibility study, this doesn’t necessarily imply that the overall consensus for building a road is favorable, but it is a sign that interest in seriously reconsidering this issue may be gaining. Times Independent

Repairs scheduled for the Fairview Lake Dam

Plans to repair the dam mean that the lake will have to be drained to a level low enough to facilitate repairs. The Division of Wildlife Resources’ Brent Stettler stated "We already have at least 7000 trout in Fairview Lakes. The director has liberalized the limit; you can take twice the number of the legal limit of trout there. We are worried about the fish loss because work being done on the damn requires the contractor to drain a lot of water from the lake."

The dam is earthen and needs to be strengthened. Complete dewatering was finished by July 18. Because of this remodeling project, the daily bag and possession limit at Fairview Lakes has been temporarily increased to eight trout. Castle Country Radio

Way cleared in Utah for 1st new U.S. refinery since 1976

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development on Wednesday cleared the way for the first oil refinery to be built in the U.S. in almost 40 years when its board gave a large tax credit to a joint venture of two investment firms for a project in Utah.

By a unanimous vote, GOED’s board agreed to a $12.7 million post-performance credit for Emery Refining LLC, funded by London-based finance firm Bridgehouse Capital Ltd. and Woodrock & Co., a Houston-based investment bank.

It isn’t clear how the crude will be transported from wells in the Paradox and Uinta basins in Colorado and Utah. Given that there are no pipelines in the area, trucks would be an option. Nor is it certain how the refinery will affect the five refineries that already operate in the state. If the refinery is built, it will be the first to be constructed in the U.S. since 1976. Refiners have preferred to expand existing plants rather than build new ones. Salt Lake Tribune

School Board Votes to Buy Property for New Helper Junior High

When a school district wants to build a new school building, they need a piece of ground to put it on. And the Carbon School Board has voted unanimously to buy property in Helper for a new junior high facility.

In a series of town hall meetings late last month and early this month, the board and the administration took input from communities across the county on the possibility of building a school to replace the aging Helper Junior High facility. With that they also talked about some land they had in mind for just such a purpose.

But even at the meeting where they ultimately approved the land purchase, a member of the Helper community and former member of the school board advised them to look closer at the land they were considering.

The property is an 18.6 acre site is located in northwest Helper and is the parcel is presently owned by five different people. The board has negotiated for a $9,000 per acre purchase price, and 17 shares of water at $1,000 per share.

The board has put $1,000 per owner earnest money down on the property.

Borla's comments were not lost on the board, however. The approval to buy the property is contingent on many studies of the land including the flood plain issue.

"It is prudent to have the property under contract now," said Board Member Jeff Richens. "With this vote the property is locked up and we can do our due diligence on the purchase."

The board has set a March 15 deadline for doing that, although they admitted that could be extended if needed.

Woodward also pointed out that buying the property does not lock a future board into any kind of decision about a new building. Plans are not set to start any kind of construction for a few years, and another board could change the intent.

The present Helper Junior High is about 80 years old and despite a large renovation a decade ago it is proving to be outmoded and possibly unsafe as time passes. The district had looked at the possibility of closing the school at one time years ago. However, by doing that the students would have to be bused to Mont Harmon Junior High in Price and that would grow that school's population to the point where the facility and administration of it could be unduly taxed.

In town meetings held in the east county, Price and Helper, there was little opposition to building a new junior high, and some support among many who attended. Sun Advocate

Work begins on apartment community in East Price

The LaPorte Group out of Salt Lake and their owner Ben Logue are once again building in Carbon County. The group has purchased prime real estate on Price's Main Street and has broken ground on an apartment complex which when completed will house more than 70 units.

According to Nick Tatton, Price City community development director, the group has gained approval and broken ground on a multiple family apartment complex which will include a club house and swimming pool. The group is planning one, two, three and four bedroom apartments within the Eastgate Apartments and will place income restrictions on applications based on tax credits.



From a city planning perspective, Tatton commented that the construction will do quite a bit to open up that area of the city, providing access and development. The apartments would be better described as 'income targeted' rather than low income. Based on the size of the unit, the price will be close to market rate, he said. However, high income individuals would not quality for the units. The LaPorte Group's building plan is contingent on tax credits meaning that they financed the project based on their promise to provide affordable housing. Sun Advocate

Work to begin near Utah canyon

Work is beginning on a $20 million road project that will improve access to natural gas wells near an eastern Utah canyon that has American Indian artifacts and rock art. The project will begin Monday with a groundbreaking ceremony in Carbon County. The road is a cooperative effort among Denver-based Bill Barrett and Duchesne and Carbon counties. Ogden Standard-Examiner

Green River Medical center expansion

Green River Medical Center was selected as one of 11 health care centers in Utah to receive stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The medical center was awarded $303,445 to expand and remodel the current building. The construction contract was awarded to Moab Construction. Construction started June 1 with the removal of the front vestibule and concrete sidewalks to make room for a new conference room. Construction is expected to last into September. Emery County Progress

Emery Town receives water money

Emery Town council held a public hearing for input on the proposed water source improvements for the town. The total project cost is estimated at $6.67 million for construction, permitting, mapping, administrative costs, engineering and related expenses. Mayor Mistie Christiansen went before the Community Impact board and recently obtained a grant/loan package for a total of $1,070,000 for the project. The US Army Corps of Engineers is contributing $5 million toward the project. Other funds procured for the project include: Consol Mining for $125,000; Muddy Creek Irrigation and Energy Sector for $475,000.

The plan is to pipe the canal to the highway or until funds run out. There are many benefits for the project including a 30-40 percent water savings by stopping canal seepage. Currently the Muddy Creek canal company is working on the silting structure which must be in place before the canal piping project can begin. Any funds left over from the silting structure can be transferred to the canal project. Emery County Progress

Senior Center project heads to finish line

Months in the making, construction of the new Price Senior Center is plugging along, and according to project manager Tom McCrary, workers are "making good progress" and quickly "closing things up." Completion of the facility is expected on or around July 15. Sun Advocate