MAG NEWS & UPDATES - February 2026

Executive Director's Corner

Each year, the legislative session reminds us just how important regional collaboration and strong local partnerships truly are. At MAG, our team has been working diligently throughout the session to represent the interests of our cities and counties and to ensure our region’s voice is clearly heard at the Capitol.

We continue to actively track legislation, meet with lawmakers and partners, and advocate for policies and funding that strengthen regional transportation, aging services, economic development, and local government partnerships. Our role is to serve as a steady, unified voice for the communities we represent, and we remain committed to advancing practical solutions that help our region thrive.

As we look ahead to March, our focus turns to one of the most meaningful initiatives of the year: our March for Meals campaign in support of Meals on Wheels. This annual effort is more than a fundraiser, it is a commitment to “end the wait” for homebound seniors who need nutritious meals and daily connection to remain safe and independent.

March for Meals also provides city, county, and state elected officials the opportunity to join us in delivering meals directly to seniors. These visits are powerful reminders that public service is ultimately about people and ensuring that no one in our communities is overlooked.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are strengthening our region, both through sound public policy and through direct service to those who depend on us most.

-Michelle Carroll, MPA

Community Development Block Grant Program

Sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the CDBG program aims to build viable communities by providing critical services to the most vulnerable, supporting neighborhood and community improvements, creating jobs for income-qualified residents, and fostering projects that create and maintain affordable housing.

To sign up for grant fund notices, visit the CDBG website.

D.C. Transportation Discussions

Leaders from the MAG MPO and our partners at WFRC recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for the annual National Association of Regional Councils Conference of Regions. This national gathering brings together regional leaders from across the country to stay ahead of emerging transportation and community development policy, and to ensure Utah’s voice is part of the conversation. While in D.C., we met with Utah’s Congressional Delegation and their staff as work continues on the next federal surface transportation bill. These conversations are critical to making sure federal investments reflect the real needs we see on the ground in our communities.

Mayor Wright, MPO Board Chair, and Mayor Frost, MPO Board Vice Chair, emphasized the importance and positive impact of city centers within their communities and the measurable impact of the Wasatch Choice Vision in guiding transportation and land use investments in Utah's fast growing region. We also reinforced the importance of transportation funding, namely the FrontRunner 2X project which double-tracks FrontRunner and increases service frequency. During the meetings, members of the federal delegation expressed appreciation for Utah’s forward-thinking approach to growth management, transportation planning, and the responsible stewardship of federal resources. We’re grateful to Utah’s federal representatives for their time, collaboration, and ongoing support of our state’s transportation system.

RTP Elected Officials Workshops

Over the last month, the MAG Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has hosted a series of regional workshops for the 2055 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).

The workshops gave our region's elected officials and staff the opportunity to share with staff needed road, transit, and active transportation projects that should be considered for the 2055 RTP.

We appreciate our transportation partners and the elected officials and local government staff who took part and shared valuable insight to help shape the future of transportation in Utah.

March for Meals

Every March, Meals on Wheels of Summit, Utah & Wasatch joins the nationwide March for Meals campaign to fight senior hunger and isolation. With more than 300 local seniors currently on the waiting list, your support matters more than ever.

Donate, volunteer, support restaurant events, or participate in grocery store round-ups to help ensure older adults in our community stay nourished, connected, and independent. Visit mowsuw.org/march-for-meals to get involved.

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