Businesses could win gold from the Park City municipal government long before the 2034 Winter Olympics open.
Municipal staffers have broached the idea of creating some sort of funding pool designed to assist the private sector and not-for-profit organizations with preparations for the Games.
A municipal report drafted ahead of a Park City Council meeting scheduled on Thursday refers to the possibility of creating an Olympic Readiness Grant Program.
The report classifies a program as a potential future option. It provides limited details but says a program would be temporary and meant to help “businesses plan and invest ahead of the 2034 Winter Games in accessibility, sustainability, marketing, communications, and energy or waste improvements with lasting community benefit.”
It is one of several economic-development possibilities listed in the report, but it is notable as a potential early step in the municipal government’s eventual citywide preparations for the Games. The other potential programs included in the report are not directly linked to the Games.
The elected officials would need to address a series of issues related to an Olympic Readiness Grant Program should they pursue creating one, including a funding mechanism.
Mayor Ryan Dickey and the City Council at the Thursday meeting are scheduled to spend 45 minutes discussing the broad topic of grants for economic development. It is not clear whether they will address a Games-related program. If there is interest from the elected officials, though, it seems likely municipal staffers would return later with details.
In prepared answers to a Park Record inquiry about an Olympic Readiness Grant Program, Park City’s economic development director, Chris Eggleton, said the concept “is still very preliminary and is being presented to Council for discussion and direction. There is not yet a fully developed program, so many of the specifics would depend on Council’s interest and direction.”
The prepared answers addressed topics like:
- A timeline: “If Council supports moving forward with an Olympic grant program, staff would develop the program details and return with recommendations. A specific launch timeline has not yet been established.”
- Dollar figures, caps and whether recipients would be required to match the grants: “None have been established at this point. Grant amounts, caps and whether businesses would be required to provide matching funds would all be part of the program design based on Council direction.”
- Eligibility: “The concept is intended to support local businesses and nonprofits with projects or improvements that help Park City prepare for and capitalize on the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games … Specific eligibility criteria have not been established.”
- Tiered eligibility based on the size of a business: “That is also an open policy question. Council could consider whether grant amounts or eligibility should vary based on factors such as business size, revenue or number of employees, but no structure has been proposed or adopted.”
- The length of a program: “Also to be determined. Council could consider a one-time program, a recurring program during the lead-up to 2034, or another structure depending on its goals and available funding.”
The Park City area is expected to have an outsized role in the Games, with Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort and the Utah Olympic Park identified as competition venues. The community will also be critical to the transportation, security and celebration plans.
The business community will eventually turn toward its own preparations for 2034. It seems certain that businesses will address issues like the possibilities to capitalize on the event itself, guarding against the potential of a Games-induced downturn during the 2033-2034 ski season and operations during the Olympics.
