United States Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, was among the dignitaries to take a “hardhat” tour of the Opportunity Hub, which is under construction in the former J.C. Penney Co. building on Main Street in Price. Dozens of local elected officials, business and community leaders joined future tenants for a preview of the facility.
The three level 36,000- square-foot building has been hollowed out in preparation for remodeling. Big screen monitors were set up to display what the facility might look like upon completion.
Utah’s newly-elected Congressman called the enterprise, “very impressive.” Rep. Curtis said, “It will take a little while to get it pieced together, it always does, but I think it’s a good concept.” The facility has been in the planning stages for more than six months.
The venture was launched when FutureINDesign (FIND) of Woods Cross, Utah applied for a U.S. Economic Development Administration Grant last July. An $800,000 grant was awarded, and together with matching funds and in-kind services, totals $1.6 million for startup costs and operations of the Innovation and Opportunity Center, or Opportunity Hub. The Carbon County Commission approved a resolution last July to provide support and a monetary contribution of $10,000 each year for the first three years FIND receives the E.D.A. Grant.
Other tenants will include Accelerant and HealthEquity on the main floor, and Blacksmith International, a manufacturing company, downstairs. Plans also call for an internet cafe and food service.
FutureINDesign is a nonprofit organization that provides education in technology and design for teens and young adults who have been marginalized by socioeconomic forces.
Founder and CEO Nicolina Womack said her goal is to get started in the next couple of months, whether the building is ready or not. She said, “I’m either going to rent a space or if there’s an opportunity to find some donated space, I’m looking at getting started in March.” She said it doesn’t have to be fancy. “Give us some computers and something to write on and a table and we can make it work.”
Womack stressed the importance of local participation.
“We can’t come in here and tell you guys what you need. If we really want to work together and make it successful, we all need to be at the table together.”
Womack said she is currently working out of the AOG office and is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. She can be reached by calling 801-755-0989, or by emailing nicolinaw@futureindesign.org.
Opportunity Hub treats U.S. Rep. Curtis, dignitaries to hardhat tour
Utah newsman Bill Gephardt interviews Carbon County Commissioner Jake Mellor Tuesday during a tour of the under-construction Opportunity Hub in Price.