Duchesne County Economic Indicators

The Uintah Basin region felt the effects of the downturn starting in 2009, when the labor market shed 2,626 jobs from the previous year. Overall, 2010 also brought job losses, though by the end of the year Uintah and Duchene counties began adding jobs at a substantial rate. The tide really turned during the next two years when the region added over 3,300 payroll jobs. Year-over growth rates were 7.5 percent and 7.8 percent in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In 2013 however, the Uintah Basin lost momentum, and employment contracted slightly. So far, this year appears to be a reversal of last year’s trend with second quarter employment growth outpacing the state average.

• Duchesne County’s payroll job growth in second quarter 2014 accelerated to an annual rate of 5.6 percent, the third fastest year-over job growth in the state and 2.8 percentage points faster than the Utah average. In total, the region added 518 jobs from second quarter 2013. Mining firms had notable gains of approximately 15 percent. The mining industry includes all oil and gas activities, making growth in this industry particularly important to the county.
• The county seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.8 percent in September, well below the state average. Such low levels of unemployment are not unheard of in Duchesne County, but the relatively low rate suggests that the job market is getting considerably more competitive.
• As the Duchesne labor market picked up steam in the second quarter of 2014, so too did average wages. Year-over average monthly wages grew 6.7 percent, exactly 5 percentage point faster than the Utah rate. As the labor market gets tighter, there should be upward movement in employee compensation, especially when a large portion of the additional jobs are in high-paying industries like mining. 
• Taxable sales in Duchesne stayed relatively unchanged between the second quarters of 2013 and 2014, falling 0.2 percent during the year. Business investment purchases in manufacturing increased by just over $8.1 million (62.1 percent) from second quarter 2013, the largest annual increase in the county. But, these gains were offset by year-over business investment declines in mining, utilities and wholesale trade totaling $9 million.
• Year-over home sales climbed 27.5 percent in the third quarter of this year according to the Utah Association of Realtors. In total, 65 homes sold in Duchesne County in third quarter at a median price of $181,950 (down 4.2 percent from 2013). Though the housing market has come a long way since 2009, sales across the state were flat in between the third quarters of 2013 and 2014.

Senior housing project nearly ready

Located just south of Walmart, a new 20 unit senior housing apartment complex is very nearly completed.

The Daniels Crossing Project in Vernal will offer one bedroom garden-style apartments with an outside access and small patio. Residents must be at least 62 years of age, must be able to live independently, must income qualify, and will have to fill out an application with the Uintah Basin Assistance Council, Uintah County building.

The project is expected to be ready for occupancy by the end of May, at which time the Uintah Basin Assistance Council will host an open house. Vernal Express

Vernal Honored for Affordable Housing

Vernal got statewide recognition for an affordable housing program that recently opened.

The Vernal Gardens apartment complex, a 48-unit apartment complex that opened last October, was named project of the year by the Utah Housing Coalition. The award was announced at the coalition’s annual banquet in Salt Lake City. At the same banquet, Kim Datwyler, from Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation, was named as one of the UHC members of the year. Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation developed the property.

The apartments are meant to provide affordable housing options for Vernal renters, who are often at the mercy of the region’s booms and busts.

During economic booms, rental rates in Vernal can double or even triple, according to UHC, making housing unaffordable for many in the Basin’s workforce.

Datwyler has spoken with teachers and service workers who found themselves priced out of rentals in a matter of months.

To counter that, the units at Vernal Gardens rent out based on a person’s income. The Vernal Gardens apartments have rents ranging from 21 to 63 percent below typical market rents. Renters also must pass a criminal background check, Datwyler said.

The buildings are also built to be energy efficient, in an effort to give residents low utility bills.

Beyond that, Datwyler said, the entire project is Enterprise Green Certified, the first such project in the state of Utah. Environmentally-friendly, long-lasting materials were used in construction, and paints low in volatile organic compounds, which have been blamed for some illnesses, were used.

Landscaping at the project is xeriscaped, save for a patch of green grass in the center. Plants are typical of what would be found in high desert, reducing the need for water use, Datwyler said.

Vernal City Councilor Jo Ann Cowan said the UHC found it “quite unusual” for cities to be as engaged in the creation of affordable housing as Vernal was with the Vernal Gardens.

Vernal City donated the land, which is situated between residential and shopping developments near Highway 40, for the project. The city also waived permit fees and other fees for the project, according to UHC.

“They are probably one of the most proactive and supportive cities we’ve worked with,” Datwyler said of Vernal. “Their efforts and concerns for the city residents, I would have to say as a developer, are very impressive.”

Datwyler also lauded other organizations, like Utah State University, for teaching financial education to residents.

Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation applied for, and received, tax credits from UHC worth more than $4 million in equity. They also received a loan from the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund.

“This project’s been bold since day one,” Cowan said. She credited Vernal City Manager Ken Bassett for the success of the project.

Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation applied for, and received, tax credits from UHC worth more than $4 million in equity. They also received a loan from the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund. Vernal Express

Daniels Crossing housing project breaks ground

A groundbreaking on Oct. 3 on Vernal’s west side ushered in the first step in the construction of the Daniels Crossing housing project.

Daniels Crossing will be a 20-unit affordable senior housing complex located at 1820 West 1500 South in Vernal.

It’s a Uintah Basin Assistance Council project funded by a HUD Section 202 grant and Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund loan, according to Heather Hoyt, Uintah County grants administrator.

Burns said the project fills a “critical need for quality affordable housing in this county,” “this project provides jobs immediately,” and “it’s nice to have something that’s energy efficient and environmentally friendly.” Vernal Express