MAG NEWS & UPDATES - April 2026

Executive Director's Corner

At MAG, our role is straightforward. We are here to help. Across our region, communities are facing growth, change, and increasingly complex challenges. What makes MAG unique is the range of tools, programs, and expertise we bring together to support both local governments and the people they serve.

For our cities and counties, that support often starts with direct partnership. Through services like our Local Administrative Advisor, Technical Assistance to Governments (TAG) Program, and Station Area Planning, we work side by side with local leaders to navigate challenges, plan for the future, and move important projects forward. Our regional planning efforts, including transportation planning, GIS mapping, and modeling, help communities make informed decisions about growth and infrastructure.

We also connect communities to critical funding and economic tools. Programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and our small business and economic development initiatives are designed to strengthen local economies, improve infrastructure, and create opportunity where it’s needed most.

At the same time, MAG plays an essential role in supporting individuals and families. Through our Aging and Family Services programs, we provide caregiver support and education, Medicare counseling, Senior Help Guides, Meals on Wheels, and other resources that help older adults maintain independence and quality of life. These services ensure that people in our communities have access to the support they need at every stage of life.

At MAG, we measure our success by the success of the communities and individuals we serve. Our region is stronger together.

-Michelle Carroll, MPA

Caregivers at the Movies

More than 125 caregivers and their loved ones attended the annual Caregivers at the Movies event on April 23. The event offered caregivers a chance to take a well-deserved break in a welcoming, low-stress environment. The annual event is sponsored by MAG's Utah County Caregiver Coalition, which is comprised of a diverse group of agencies, professionals, and community members who serve aging adults and caregivers.

To learn more about future events or MAG's Caregiver Support Program, visit magutah.gov/caregiver.

Utah Valley Marathon Partnership

We are thrilled to share that Meals on Wheels has been chosen as a partner charity for the Utah Valley Marathon. Runners (or walkers) can fundraise on our behalf and earn a FREE race entry!

Choose the race distance that's right for you (5K, 10K, or half marathon), set up your fundraising page, and invite your friends and family to donate. Every dollar goes directly toward feeding our senior neighbors, and once you hit your fundraising goal, your race entry is completely free!

You can Sign Up Here.

MAG's Weatherization Program

The weather is getting warmer, ACs are kicking on, and the cooling season is starting at MAG Weatherization. As we enter the summer heat, the Crisis Program is able to offer assistance to households experiencing inoperable air conditioners and water heaters.  

To be eligible for the Crisis Program, homeowners need to qualify for the HEAT program and have one of the following target groups living in the household:

• disabled individual
• child under the age of 6 

OR

• an individual over the age of 60 

See if your your home qualifies, call 801-229-3850. Those in need of crisis services must complete an online crisis application at our weatherization website.

HEAT Program Kudos

MAG's HEAT team is proud to announce another year of exceptional service delivery. During the recent State monitoring, our team achieved 100% accuracy across the board, marking our second consecutive year with zero findings.

Beyond compliance, our efficiency continues to set statewide benchmarks:

• Speed to Service: While the statewide average for processing applications in FY26 is 22 days, MAG has averaged just 16 days since October.
• March Momentum: In March, the team reached an incredible average processing time of just 5 days.
• Doing More with Less: We achieved these record-breaking speeds with only half the staff compared to the previous year.  

Because our team has been so successful at doing more with less, the State is adding our agency’s specific efficiency standards to the Statewide HEAT Policy Manual. This means our "secret sauce"—the workflows that got us to a 5-day processing average in March—is now the gold standard that every other agency in the state will strive to follow. We aren't just hitting the bar; we are the bar! 

A huge shoutout to our dedicated staff members who have worked tirelessly to ensure our community members receive needed assistance in record time. 

To learn more about the HEAT Program, visit magutah.gov/heat.

MAG Staff Connects with Local Councils

MAG MPO staff have been meeting with City Councils across the region to build relationships, share who we are and what we do, and highlight the resources available to support local communities.

These work sessions provide an opportunity for council members to ask questions and engage directly with MAG’s Planning Department team on topics like transportation planning, project development, technical assistance, and economic development opportunities. We appreciate the thoughtful conversations and the chance to better understand each community’s priorities.

Most recently, we visited Cedar Hills in their newly renovated civic building, formerly a fire station. Thank you to Cedar Hills and all the communities that have welcomed us. We look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the region.

Let us know if you’d like us to visit with your city council by reaching out to LaNiece Davenport at ldavenport@magutah.gov

All Aboard "The Bob" in Park City!

Construction is underway on Park City’s new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, perfectly named The Bobsled Express, or simply, “The Bob”.

High Valley Transit will operate this seven-mile BRT that will connect the Kimball Junction Transit Center to the Old Town Transit Center with buses arriving every 10–15 minutes throughout the day. Designed to combine the convenience of rail with the flexibility of bus service, The Bob will feature six stations, operate seven days a week, and utilize ADA-accessible, zero-emission electric buses. The project also includes a new transit center at Canyons Village, along with additional stations at Bobsled Boulevard and Thaynes Canyon Drive.

MAG extends a hearty congratulations to High Valley Transit and partners at UDOT, Summit County, and Park City as this investment represents a significant advancement in strengthening the region’s multi-modal transportation network. Learn more at: https://www.hvtutah.gov/sr224-brt

Celebrate Bike Month with the Ninth Annual Golden Spoke Ride on Saturday May 16, 2026! This FREE, family-friendly cycling event is a safe and exciting way to explore the expanding Golden Spoke Trail Network, which connects more than 100 miles of multi-use trail across the central Wasatch Front Region from Ogden to Provo. The ride is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing bike community, discover new trails, and elevate your cycling skills.

The day features two approximately 50-mile rides starting simultaneously in Roy and Provo, that converge at Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai in South Salt Lake for the End of Ride Celebration. Ride hubs will be set up along each route, providing supported rest stops and alternative starting points for shorter rides. Registrants can order a complimentary transit pass from UTA for event-day travel, and the first 400 people to register will also receive a $10 food voucher to use at the End of Ride Celebration.

“The Golden Spoke Ride is more than just a ride, it’s an annual celebration of our community's commitment to building and enjoying one of the best multi-use trail systems around.” says Rachel Lyn, Communications and Outreach Manager for the Jordan River Commission. “We are especially excited this year to feature the newly completed West Davis Corridor Trail as part of the North Ride, which continues to expand active transportation connectivity across the Wasatch Front.”

Plan to join us at the End of Ride Celebration, a fun, post-ride festival featuring:

Food trucks, music, giveaways, and community booths.

A post-ride yoga flow.

Family-friendly activities, including yard games, bird viewing with Audubon, and a community art project.

Commemorative T-shirts can be purchased for $10 to show your support of the ride. For more information and to register, visit www.goldenspoke.net today!

For questions, concerns, or comments contact Johnathon Knapton, MAG Communications Manager, at jknapton@magutah.gov or (801)229-3836