Who We Are

The Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) is a State of Utah entity created in 2007 to further economic development across multiple jurisdictions, bringing together private and public enterprise and promoting military initiatives. Today, MIDA oversees a total of eight active project areas statewide, each established through legislative action to support Utah’s economic growth and defense-related infrastructure.

The Inspiration Behind MIDA’s Creation

In 1995, during the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process, Hill Air Force Base faced possible closure. Utah studies revealed Hill’s multi-billion-dollar economic impact, helping make the case to keep the base open. When similar Air Force depots at Kelly and McClellan were later closed, Hill gained an opportunity to strengthen its strategic value.

In 2002, Congress authorized the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) program, allowing the military to partner with private developers to turn underutilized land into productive assets. Hill AFB used this authority to revitalize its western edge, identifying roughly 500 acres for commercial development. Through this public-private partnership, developers fund projects that generate revenue for new military infrastructure—supporting the base’s mission, driving regional economic growth, and reducing future closure risk.

The resulting Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park spans two counties (Weber and Davis) and four cities (Roy, Riverdale, Sunset, and Clearfield). The Utah Legislature created MIDA as a single coordinating authority to interface with the military and manage these complex partnerships, and including land use, taxation and services.

History

The Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) is a political subdivision with statewide jurisdiction whose mission is to support the military community and base installations through facilitating development that promotes economic health and sustainable projects in partnership with communities in Utah.

Mission

We strive to serve the State of Utah for the next century by creatively developing and constructing civil and environmental improvements for military projects, initiating public policies that promote healthy economic ecosystems in military communities, and incentivizing new missions with a pipeline to the national security strategy through diversified financial models.

Vision

Our Values

  • We are privileged to serve past and present members of the armed forces. We work for and alongside service members, civilians, and contractors who develop projects that impact veteran and military families and their communities. We honor all who make and have made sacrifices for our freedoms.

  • We uphold and obey the rule of law and remain above reproach in our personal and professional conduct. We do not engage in any activity that could potentially compromise our mission, our stakeholder partnerships, and our stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

  • We operate openly, candidly, and truthfully. We endeavor to share information with staff, partners, and the public in order to foster clarity, trust, and accountability surrounding and throughout the organization.

  • We offer powerful solutions to problems by adapting to the needs of our stakeholders and partners with timely and unbureaucratic responsiveness.

  • We are innovative and original. We think outside-the-box and explore beyond conventional models for results.

  • We cooperate with public and private partners and stakeholders across the state, at all levels of government, and at all grades of armed services command structures. We grow and foster these relationships and welcome new opportunities to collaborate in service of our mission.