Moffat County roads and the Dinosaur Library could see major improvements if the state approves two grant requests.

Moffat County commissioners decided Tuesday to make a grant request for road improvements their top priority in grant requests from the state’s Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund.

The state’s Department of Local Affairs administers energy impact grants to help counties offset some of the costs of energy development. DOLA issues the grants in three cycles annually — April, August and December.

Since 1995, DOLA has issued more than $10 million to Moffat County in energy impact grants.

The road grant would pay for chip sealing on Moffat County Road 57 and asphalt work on C.R. 4 and C.R. 183.

Moffat County Budget Analyst Tinneal Gerber estimates the grant request will be about $600,000, but the exact amount hasn’t been determined.

Commissioner Tom Gray said the road grant will fix roads damaged by energy industry vehicles.

“We’ll try to mitigate some damage,” Gray said.

The grant for the Dinosaur Library would pay for leveling of the parking lot and some improvements to the building. The library request is for $37,552.

The county will match a percentage of both grants by providing workers for the projects.

Commissioners said both grants are important.

“It makes sense to make the bigger one a higher priority,” Commissioner Darryl Steele said.

During the April grant cycle, a request for The Memorial Hospital was the county’s top priority. The TMH grant received preliminary approval last week.

DOLA Regional Director Tim Sarmo said calling a request the top priority plays a big role in DOLA’s decisions.

“Certainly, that’s taken into account,” Sarmo said earlier this week.

Sarmo said local priorities are especially important when there are a number of grants.

Commissioners discussed seeking funds for the Moffat County Airport Terminal during the next grant cycle.

Brandon Johansson can be reached at 824-7031 or bjohansson@craigdailypress.com