Utah Centennial County History Series - Grand County 1996

fire departments were staffed by volunteers. Unemployment in the county was at about 7 percent, reflecting the growth of the area.

Trade, government, and services dominated the employment sector at 30,26, and 24 percent, respectively; only 6 percent of workers were involved in mining. Eleven religious groups were represented in Moab, which boasts that it has more religious denominations per capita than any other city in Utah.

Recreational outlets and opportunities were many and varied, with golfing, biking, four-wheeling, and river-running dominantall attracting thousands to the area throughout the year. Grand County's population in 1993 was estimated at 6,900, while Moab had 4,124 residents. These figures reflected growth in MoablSpanish Valley outside the incorporated city; other than a couple of hundred people in nearby Castle Valley, almost all county residents lived in Moab Valley. Cultural facilities included Star Hall and the new equestrian center, capable of seating up to 3,000 people. Cultural organizations included the century-old Women's Literary Club and the Moab Community Theatre, founded in 1972 and one of Utah's oldest non-religious-affilliated theater groups. Events were numerous throughout the year, including a new Moab Arts Festival in the summer and a Moab Music Festival in the fall.

The "Community Profile" published by the economic development office presents a portrait of Moab as a vital and growing citysomething no one could deny. Charm does not go hand-in-hand with vitality, however, and there are both old-time residents and many newcomers who hope to limit the agressive tourist promotion which has put a strain on local facilities and on the environment and which also has led to increased taxation. Grand County still has almost no manufacturing base, and much effort is being undertaken to try to attract businesses and manufacturing establishments to the area. The "Profile" presents information on tax structures, facilities, and incentives-all designed to broaden the county's economy, that it not again become dependent upon only one major ind~stry.'~ A multitude of challenges faced the area, where the local citizens were about as polarized as anywhere in the nation. Realizing this, in early 1994 a new coalition called the Grand County Partnership, comprised of federal, state, and local government people, businesses,