Monthly Newsletter - November 2025 | | Executive Director's Corner | | |
With November elections now complete, our region is preparing for many important transitions in local leadership. In January, 17 new mayors and even more town and city council members will take office across the MAG region. We extend a warm welcome to each of them and look forward to supporting their success as they begin serving their communities. In the coming months, we’ll reach out to our newly-elected mayors to set up times to discuss MAG’s roles and responsibilities.
We also want to express our sincere appreciation to the outgoing mayors who have dedicated years of service and advocacy to their cities and towns. Their leadership, partnership, and steady commitment have strengthened our region and helped shape the collaborative spirit that defines MAG.
I encourage new mayors to be closely engaged with MAG. Your participation is essential to the regional planning, coordination, and problem-solving that allow our communities to thrive. Whether through transportation planning, aging services, grantmaking, economic development initiatives, or serving on MAG's Executive Council, your voice guides our shared priorities and ensures that our work reflects the real needs of your residents.
We look forward to a strong partnership and building on the foundation of collaboration that has long served our region well.
-Michelle Carroll, MPA
| | MAG Small Business Loan Fund Fuels Tamarac Technologies' Take-Off | | |
Tamarac Technologies is gaining real traction, proving that an innovative business plan can open new doors for funding. The company’s success is built on providing a software program that helps small regional airports modernize their operations at a competitive and accessible cost. We are excited to announce that Tamarac just secured a startup loan from the Fund that will accelerate their rollout and let them keep building the tools small airports actually need.
Tamarac’s founders, Adam Bunker and Carson Packard, emphasized the critical role our organization played in securing their future: “None of this success would have happened without a loan from the Mountainland Small Business Loan Fund. Their guidance, support, and industry insights are the reason we were able to get this company off the ground in the first place. They’ve been in our corner from day one, and it’s made all the difference.”
Today, Tamarac is operating in 13 airports and growing fast. Airports are choosing Tamarac because it’s modern, efficient, and designed specifically for the realities of general aviation operations. This growth showcases the power of backing forward-thinking, scalable solutions in our region. The momentum is strong, and with the Fund’s continued support, Tamarac is pushing even harder to bring better technology to more airports across the region.
If your small business has a compelling vision for regional impact, we encourage you to learn more about the MAG Small Business Loan Fund. We're here to help great ideas take flight.
| | Utah's Unified Transportation Plan | | |
Transportation in Utah is more than just a way to get from one place to another. It’s an integral part of our quality of life. Because of past investments in transportation and because of how we work together to plan and build the system, we are able to move freely both within and across our communities. Transportation is a key element of what makes Utah great.
What is the Unified Transportation Plan?
Transportation projects in Utah are identified, compiled, and prioritized for the Unified Transportation Plan (UTP) by Utah’s four urban metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) – Cache, Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), and Dixie – along with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Utah Transit Authority (UTA). Utah’s MPOs each create an individual Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and UDOT works on the Long Range Plan (LRP), which covers non-urban MPO areas statewide. After desired projects are identified, each MPO and transit organization, as well as UDOT, prioritizes projects into roughly three 10-year phases. The identification and prioritization process happens in close consultation with local governments and includes public input over the course of a four-year process.
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Utah is growing, and communities across the region are working together to shape that growth in ways that protect what we love and enhance our quality of life. The Wasatch Choice Vision provides the roadmap — and developing vibrant city and town centers is a key strategy that’s already delivering results.
Centers Work! highlights this progress, shares examples, and offers resources to help every community create places that strengthen local character and benefit the entire region.
To learn more, visit https://wasatchchoice.org/centerswork/.
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Help us spread warmth this holiday season! This year, we are gathering socks for the recipients of Meals on Wheels Summit, Utah & Wasatch for the holidays. Socks must be new and warm or non-slip.
Learn more at mowsuw.org/socks
| | We are blown away by your generosity! Thanks to your support during Live PC Give PC, Meals on Wheels raised $27,000 which will provide 2,426 meals to homebound seniors. | | Volunteer Spotlight: Lauralynne Chord | |
Lauralynne’s journey to becoming a MAG Stress-Busting volunteer began in 2018, when her mother came to live with her. After enrolling in the Stress-Busting for Caregivers class, initially unsure she even needed it, she quickly learned how essential it is for caregivers to care for themselves, too. The techniques she gained helped her become a more balanced and compassionate caregiver, inspiring her to volunteer and support others on the same path. Volunteering has been deeply rewarding for Lauralynne, allowing her to practice and reinforce the stress-busting principles she teaches and helping her stay centered in her own caregiving journey.
| 20th Annual Caregiver Conference Wrap Up | | |
More than 280 caregivers joined us on November 1 for the 20th Annual Caregiver Conference, a day centered on learning, connection, and renewal for those caring for senior loved ones. Attendees gained practical tools, strengthened their confidence, and connected with 49 vendors and community organizations offering valuable support and resources. The event was highlighted by a keynote address from best-selling author and renowned sports psychologist Dr. Craig Manning. Held during National Caregivers Month, the conference underscored the vital role caregivers play and the importance of recognizing and supporting their ongoing journey.
To learn about MAG's caregiver support program, visit magutah.gov/caregiver.
| | For questions, concerns, or comments contact Johnathon Knapton, MAG Communications Manager, at jknapton@magutah.gov or (801)229-3836 | | | | |
