MIDA Board Meeting Highlights - August 20, 2026
In MIDA’s Mountain Veteran Program Project Area, the non-profit Mountain Veteran Program (MVP) successfully launched its first summer season of programming. MVP Executive Director Christine Russ told the MIDA Board of Directors 5,535 program days have occurred to date.
BOARD ACTION
This is an unofficial summary of the Board Meeting, conducted virtually, produced by MIDA Communications staff. Minutes will be posted to the Utah Public Notice website once they are approved. Link to the Utah Public Notice Website.
Board members present: Chair Stuart Adams, Vice Chair Jerry Stevenson, Gage Froerer, Mike Ostermiller, Gary Harter; and Erik Rowland.
Chair Adams opened the meeting by welcoming Erik Rowland, Wasatch County Council Chair, to the MIDA Board of Directors.
Unanimous approval of minutes from the June 26, 2026 MIDA Board closed and open meetings.
Unanimous approval of Resolution 2026-18, with a condition to strike a clause (outlined below) in Chapter 3: A Resolution of the Military Installation Development Authority (“MIDA”) Adopting the Utah National Guard Project Area Development Standards and Guidelines That Will Control the Development of Property Within the Project Area.
MIDA’s Richard Catten reviewed the Utah National Guard Project Area, established in 2024 and uniting 27 Guard-controlled properties under a comprehensive plan to modernize training facilities and essential utilities. (Visit https://www.midaut.org/utah-national-guard-project-area for more information.) Most of the properties are owned by the Utah State Armory Board, with the exception of certain portions of Camp Williams, which are federally owned. There are a couple private properties in Tooele City.
Catten explained that where MIDA has land use authority in a project area, we have Standards and Guidelines – similar to what every city in the state has. Adopting Standards does not approve a particular development project but rather establishes a framework for getting approvals later.
MIDA does not have rules for environmental regulation. State and federal environmental regulations, if applicable, must be adhered to. Water is taken care of by special service districts. In other words MIDA does not have any greater powers than a city nor do MIDA Standards and Guidelines.
Two Development Review Committees will be established; one for the military properties and one for the private properties in Tooele City (Tooele City will also have expert representation on that DRC.)
Catten further explained that a clause was inadvertently kept in Chapter 3’s Land Use Regulations that he proposed the Board strike: Land use regulations are intended to ensure that energy generation facilities, data centers, manufacturing operations, supporting infrastructure, mixed use areas and agricultural areas are developed in a coordinated manner that supports safety, operational efficiency, and compatibility between uses. Catten said “data centers” are not contemplated for the UNG Project Area.
Vice Chair Stevenson supported the language strike, acknowledging the likely data center discussion in the upcoming legislative session.
Catten reminded that amendments to MIDA Project Area Standards and Guidelines do occur and go through the DRC process with recommendations to the MIDA Board.
Unanimous approval of Resolution 2026-19: A Resolution of the Military Installation Development Authority (“MIDA”) Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the First Amendment to the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Between MIDA and the North Davis Fire District.
Falcon Hill Project Area Director Hilary Venable put forward a staff recommendation of approval explaining that the NDFD has reviewed and approved the interlocal amendment via resolution in June.
On July 1, 2016, MIDA and NDFD entered into the original Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, under which NDFD agreed to provide fire protection, emergency rescue medical services, fire code enforcement, and development plan review services within the Falcon Hill Project Area.
That being said, the First Amendment, negotiated between MIDA and NDFD, makes three principal changes:
The Term. Extends the Agreement for an additional ten (10) years, through June 30, 2036.
The Service Area. Expands the service area to encompass the entire Falcon Hill Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) boundary.
The Compensation. Replaces the original fee schedule with an annual base rate plus a per-call fee.
Unanimous approval of Resolution 2026-20: A Resolution of the Military Installation Development Authority (“MIDA”) Board Approving a Donation of $100,000 to the USS Utah Commissioning Committee, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, in Support of the Commissioning of the USS Utah (SSN-801).
MIDA PROJECT AREA UPDATES
In MIDA’s Military Recreation Facility Project Area, MRF Project Area Director Heather Kruse updated the MIDA Board of Directors on the 100 Salute to Service guest rooms at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley explaining that from August through December of this year, occupancy is pacing 222% ahead of last year. December room revenue is pacing 209% ahead of last year, fueled by an additional 300 room nights and $44,400 in room revenue gained over the past 30 days.
To view copies of the presentations, please visit https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1478015.pdf.
Falcon Hill
Project Update - Hill Aerospace Museum Gate Project presented by Venable: The museum's main expansion was completed successfully a couple of years ago under agreement with the Air Force and Master Developer, SRDP.
Now, The Museum's Gateway expansion will complete the gift shop and a new gateway entry, along with two additional offices within the gift shop space. This was originally identified as an add-alternate to the main project, and, with funds secured, the Museum has the opportunity to bring it to life.
Sunset Ridge Development Partners, who led the original museum expansion so successfully, has voluntarily stepped back from a lead developer role on this final expansion, freeing them to focus on their broader pipeline of projects within Falcon Hill. In a great show of continued partnership, MIDA is stepping in as contract administrator, handling procurement, contracting, and payment administration. Meanwhile, Hill Air Force Base's SABER program will serve as construction manager, developing the scope of work and coordinating all Air Force approvals. This is a real testament to the strength of the relationship between MIDA, SRDP, and the Air Force in finding the right role to keep this project moving forward for the museum and the base.
For further Falcon Hill updates, please visit: https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1478015.pdf.
Mountain Veteran Program
Presentation by: Project Area Director Ashley Burr and MVP Program Executive Director Christine Russ. Link to MVP update: https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1478015.pdf
Military Recreation Facility
Presentation by: Project Area Director Kruse, Skyridge’s Tyler Aldous, and Extell’s Kurt Krieg. Link to Skyridge and Extell’s updates: https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1478015.pdf.
National Guard
Presentation by: Project Area Manager Erin Madsen. Link to National Guard update: https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1478015.pdf.