Supporters of an inland port project area in Duchesne County envision it resulting in high-quality jobs, an expanded tax base, better infrastructure and other benefits to the local economy.
The Black Gold Project Area will be in line for approval March 16 at a meeting of the Utah Inland Port Authority board at the Duchesne County Centennial Event Center, 60 W. 400 S., Duchesne.
The proposed project area spans about 2,780 acres in several areas of Duchesne County and Roosevelt City. If approved, it would join 14 other project areas in the state.
The project area would establish a framework for coordinating infrastructure improvements and economic development tools within the designated acreage. Local land-use authority would remain under the jurisdiction of Duchesne County and Roosevelt City.
Having the project area “gives Duchesne County the tools to grow responsibly, diversify strategically and invest in infrastructure that supports long-term prosperity,” Deborah Herron, Duchesne County economic development director, told the board at a January informational presentation.
“This project area is a practical tool for strengthening our local economy while supporting the Inland Port’s statewide mission. At its core, the Black Gold Project Area helps Duchesne County diversify our economy. Our region has long depended on energy production and agriculture. Those industries remain important but they are also affected by boom-and-bust cycles. This project area allows us to intentionally attract additional industries, such as logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, as well as information technologies, so we’re very excited about that.”
Those industries would build on the area’s existing strengths while reducing long-term economic risk, she said, adding that a broader mix of industries would mean more stable jobs, stronger household incomes and greater resilience during market downturns.
The project area also would boost the ability to attract businesses, she said.
“Rural communities often struggle to compete for investment, not because we lack land or workforce but because infrastructure and financing tools are limited. The Utah Inland Port Authority helps change that. Through this project area, Duchesne County can offer businesses a coordinated development framework, access to incentives and clear alignment between state and local partners. For site selectors, this sends a simple message: This is a community that is prepared, organized and ready for responsible growth.”
Both Duchesne County and Roosevelt City adopted resolutions requesting establishment of the project area. Inland Port Authority documents indicate that state-backed incentives generally will favor the following industries: logistics, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, energy production and natural resources.
“Duchesne County and Roosevelt City have the opportunity to advance economic growth and diversification through strategic partnerships, workforce development and infrastructure investment. … This initiative will create high-quality jobs, expand the local tax base, and provide resources for public services, while promoting sustainable growth and responsible land use,” authority documents state.
“Basically, the county came to us, and they are worried about over-demand and a lot of growth that could become very quickly unmanageable,” Jenna Draper, associate vice president of regional project area development for the Utah Inland Port Authority, said at the January meeting. “They wanted to partner with UIPA to make sure that they manage that growth effectively, that they’re able to keep up with the infrastructure demand and also the development and other companies that are coming to them.”
The project area benefits likely would be spread throughout the Uinta Basin area, which currently averages 118,000 barrels of oil production per day. Surface transportation is the primary means of moving crude oil to market, representing an estimated 500 truckloads or approximately 170 railcars per day, according to an authority document.
“While not all production occurs within Utah’s portion of the basin, these volumes reflect the overall scale of freight demand that logistics and transportation infrastructure investments in the Black Gold Project Area are positioned to support,” it says. “This energy-driven freight activity is expected to remain a defining characteristic of the region for decades, reinforcing the long-term importance of reliable surface transportation networks.”
Logistics and industrial facilities within the project area are currently modest in scale and largely decentralized. “At present, there are no rail-served facilities, intermodal terminals or large regional distribution centers operating within the project area,” the document states. “Most producers and businesses ship goods directly by truck to customers, processors or logistics hubs located outside the basin. While this structure meets current needs, it also limits economies of scale and modal optionality for future growth.”