The Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB) is pleased to announce the availability of grant money for the purpose of developing County Resource Management Plans based on the model provided by this office in the County Resource Management Plan Tool Kit.

The grant money will be available to assist up to three pilot counties in developing resource management plans that can used as models for other counties wishing to utilize this planning methodology. Because of the limited amount of money available, the grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to the grant proposals that are determined by GOPB to best meet the criteria outlined in the grant announcement. Local match can be either cash or in-kind.

As you consider submitting a grant proposal, there are some things I would like to emphasize that will help you prepare a quality application. First, this is a pilot program to develop planning models for other counties, so it is important that you fully understand the structure and design outlined in the CRMP Tool Kit which can be found on-line at www.planning.utah.gov/CRMP.htm

It will also be the County’s responsibility to identify its “Plan Leader” early in the grant application process. It is our hope that your Plan Leader will take the lead in preparing your grant application. The Plan Leader can be either an outside consultant/contracting agency that will be paid with the grant monies, or he/she can be an in-house employee. In either case, the credentials and experience of your plan leader will be critical to the success of your grant application. Early involvement of your Plan Leader will ensure a quality product and a realistic cost for the project.

I would also advise you to be very selective in the elements that you choose to include in your plan. Choose planning elements that are priorities to your county and that are applicable to a number of other counties. And as a word of caution: “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” Applications will be judged on the value and applicability of the planning elements, not on the total number.

Please contact myself or Mike Hansen in my office with any questions you may have at (801) 538-1027. I look forward to receiving some great applications.

Sincerely:

Wes Curtis, State Planning Coordinator

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