CEDAR CITY — Five local businesses were recently awarded funding to support economic growth efforts in Iron County by the Iron County Small Business Grant Program, according to a recent media release.
Locals can participate in community events such as paint nights at Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery, located at 491 South Main Street in Cedar City, Utah, May 9, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George / Cedar City News
The Iron County Economic Opportunity Board and the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center oversee the program with funding made available through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Rural County Grant Program.
“This year we doubled the number of applicants from last year, showing how great of a need this program is in our community,” David Johnson, economic development director for Cedar City and Iron County, said. “As the program continues to gain popularity, additional grant funding is being sought to assist even more small businesses in the future.”
Five applicants were selected from more than 40 small businesses that submitted requests, with the potential to receive up to $60,000 in funding through the program this year, including:
Neighboring Cedar City businesses Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery and Ala Chelle Catering, located at 491 South Main Street, were awarded economic development grants in Cedar City, Utah, May 9, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George / Cedar City News
Ala Chelle Catering
Cedar Sports
Dallas Smith Media
Fresh Start Flooring
Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery
Chelsey Durand, owner of Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery, told Cedar City News this is her second year receiving funding from the grant.
She began the bakery in her house three years ago and has used the grants to purchase commercial equipment and open a store at 491 S. Main Street.
To be selected, businesses must put together a plan explaining what the money will be used for and how it will benefit the city, Durand said.
“We take part in quite a few city events, like the July Jamboree,” she said. “We make custom cakes for different events, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.”
Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery was recently awarded its second grant from the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development in Cedar City, Utah, May 9, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George / Cedar City News
Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery treats can also be found around town at places like Rusty’s Ranch House and Mixrz in Cedar City.
Johnson noted examples from other businesses awarded funding will include, infrastructure developments, construction of a new building, adding to an existing building, new or upgraded equipment or machinery, business-related technology and business start-up costs.
Gabrielle Costello, Cedar City Community Relations public information officer, noted that Utah is continually ranked highly as one of the best states to start a business by acclaimed companies like online finance consultant WalletHub.
Recently, Wallethub named Cedar City as the best small city to start a business in the United States thanks to the positive business environment, access to resources and average lower costs to run a business.
Customers can choose from a variety of cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies and ready-made desserts at Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery in Cedar City, Utah, May 9, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George / Cedar City News
“Supporting small businesses remains a top priority in Iron County so that dreams can continue to flourish,” Costello said.
Analysts noted Cedar City small businesses grew by 33% since 2015, with access to government grants, workforce accessibility, labor costs and startups-per-capita being other variables analysts used in determining Cedar City’s status as a great place to start a business.
“This growth is significant because it shows that the city has the conditions to keep small businesses afloat even during this period of economic difficulty,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe said. “Cedar City has the fourth-lowest average commute time too.”
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