Federal funding approved for several Utah projects

WASHINGTON — As the 108th Congress marches toward a conclusion next week, Utah lawmakers are racing to get Utah projects out of committee and the money flowing to constituencies at home.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, announced this week he had secured $13 million requested for a variety of Utah economic development and science projects, including $900,000 for the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

The money will be used to design and build a new Elizabethan theater in Cedar City, thereby allowing the Tony Award-winning festival to expand. It is estimated the expansion will create 350 retail, hospitality and artistic jobs, Bennett said.

The festival contributes $56 million to the southern Utah economy.

The Senate Appropriations Committee also endorsed spending $650,000 for a new senior center in Wayne County, $250,000 to renovate Pioneer Hall in West Jordan and $1 million to renovate the Academy Building in Brigham City.

Brigham City purchased the Academy Building, located in an area of town that is struggling economically, to preserve its historical significance. The city hopes that renovation will spur economic revitalization.

Institutions at Utah State University will also get $2.5 million, of which $1 million will go to the Space Dynamics Lab, $1 million to the Digital Image Archive and Processing Center and $500,000 to the university to study fresh water ecosystems.

And Gov. Olene Walker fared well. Her initiative to protect Utah watersheds will get $200,000 in federal funding.

"These worthwhile projects will directly benefit the citizens of these communities, as well as increase the economic development opportunities for local economies," Bennett said.

The House Resources Committee, meanwhile, gave its approval to a bill that would transfer ownership of the Provo Reservoir Canal, more commonly known as the Murdock Canal, to the Provo River Water Users Association.

The transfer is intended to speed up the process of enclosing the canal, which was the scene of a fatal tragedy earlier this year.

"Enclosure of the Murdock Canal is essential for public safety, and will also provide for significantly improved management of our scarce water supplies," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, and sponsor of the bill.