Monthly Newsletter - July 2025

Executive Director's Corner

I hope everyone is managing to stay cool during this hot, dry Utah summer and finding a little time with family before the back-to-school season kicks in.

On a personal note, it was a true honor to be featured in the July Women’s Issue of Utah Valley Magazine. I was humbled by the opportunity to share part of my journey and reflect on the importance of embracing one’s full potential. But even more so, I was grateful for the opportunity to tell MAG’s story and share the importance of all we do as an organization. I believe that the “Magic of MAG,” as the article calls it, is that every person living within our boundaries has been positively affected in some way by the work we do.

Whether it's planning for smarter growth, supporting aging populations, improving regional transportation, or helping local governments thrive, the work we do together has a real and lasting impact. I'm proud of all our team accomplishes each day across Summit, Utah, and Wasatch counties.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and stay connected with the work happening across the region.

-Michelle Carroll, MPA

To read Michelle's contribution to the July Women's Issue of the Utah Valley Magazine, visit utahvalleymag.com or click on the page above.

Orem Firefighters Step Into the Shoes of Someone Living With Dementia

The Orem Fire Department recently took part in Dementia Live®, a hands-on training that helps first responders better understand what it’s like to live with dementia. Using special gear that simulates sensory changes like confusion, hearing loss, and limited vision, firefighters got a firsthand look at the challenges many older adults face every day.

Why does it matter? Calls involving people with dementia are becoming more common. This training helps responders communicate with compassion, respond more effectively, and make sure those with memory loss feel safe and understood.

Learn more about dementia education in our community at magutah.gov/education.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ryan, Long-Term Care Advocate

In March 2025, Ryan completed 40 hours of training to become a certified Long-Term Care Ombudsman, building on his experience with seniors and vulnerable adults.

Ombudsmen visit care facilities, listen to residents, and help resolve concerns about safety, care, and rights. Ryan brings a sharp eye for detail, like spotting issues like broken doorknobs near stairs or signs that reveal private information. He’s already making a difference, helping ensure residents are safe, respected, and heard.

Learn more at magutah.gov/volunteer-ombuds.

Small Business Loan Spotlight:

Built on Grit, Growth, and a Little Help from MAG

When I started SandBar nine years ago, I had an idea, a whole lot of grit, and no one willing to take a chance on me—except the MAG Small Business Loan Program. They gave me my very first business loan, and then my second. That was the turning point. With their support, I was able to build something real.

What started as a solution to torn-up hands from CrossFit has turned into a full-blown obsession. I didn’t just invent a callus tool—I became a self-proclaimed callus expert. SandBar was born out of necessity, but it grew out of passion. I saw how the body adapts, protects, and performs under pressure, and I fell in love with the beauty and resilience of callused skin. I stopped complaining about it and started creating for it.

Since then, I’ve expanded from hand care to foot care, creating the Heel Revival Regimen for the cracked, dry heels people have silently suffered with for far too long. I’ve had the honor of helping athletes, moms, musicians, and hard workers take care of the skin that takes care of them.

SandBar exists because MAG believed in me when no one else did. And after almost a decade in business, I’m still fired up—because when you stop seeing your skin as a flaw and start understanding how to care for it, everything changes.

TIP Public Comment Period Now Open

MAG, together with UDOT and UTA, have identified transportation projects totaling more than $3 billion over the next six years to improve mobility within Utah Valley. Stakeholders and the public are invited to provide input on the projects.

The public review and comment period on the Draft 2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is now open and runs through August 11, 2025. Comments can be made at magutah.gov/tip.

The Draft 2026 TIP helps meet current transportation needs while addressing important future priorities throughout the region. Projects will be funded with federal, state, and local resources over the next six years. Major projects in the TIP are selected from the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP); MAG works with transportation agencies and local communities to develop the RTP and the TIP using extensive analysis and careful planning to identify and prioritize projects for the coming decades.

If you have any questions, please contact Bob Allen, Interim Transportation Manager, at rallen@magutah.gov or 801-229-3813.

MAG Efforts on Utah County Trails

Click on the photo above to read the Daily Herald article about Utah County trails and MAG's efforts to get people moving.

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