History

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. MIDA has the top two economic development projects in the State of Utah: The Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park in Davis and Weber County, and the Military Recreational Facility (MRF) Project Area in Wasatch County.

The Inspiration Behind MIDA’s Creation

During the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process in 1995, Hill Air Force Base was considered for closure. While these BRAC closures were being considered, numerous studies were conducted in Utah that determined the state’s largest military installation – Hill – had a multi-billion-dollar economic impact on the state. The BRAC commission in the end identified two other Air Force Depots (just like Hill) Kelly and McClellan to be closed, giving Hill AFB an opportunity to strengthen its value to the Air Force.

The 2002 National Defense Authorization Act included authority for the military services to offer underutilized land to private developers through a competitive process called an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL). With Congress authorizing this innovative program to create new infrastructure on military installations and bases, Hill AFB decided to use its EUL authority to revitalize its infrastructure that would strengthen its ability to support its Air Force mission by turning most of its western edge into an EUL project. Further, large portions of underutilized property were identified on the base. 

Private entities develop the land for commercial purposes, and, in exchange, the military collects payments that can be used to construct additional buildings and infrastructure for the installation. This unique public-private partnership ultimately supports the military’s mission, drives economic development and new jobs for the region, and mitigates the risk of base closure.

Hill Air Force Base identified approximately 500 acres of underutilized land that lies between Interstate 15 and the base’s western edge. 

This new EUL, named the Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park, is unique because it lies within two counties (Weber and Davis counties) and four municipalities (Roy City, Riverdale City, Sunset City and Clearfield City).  Although local governments were excited by the possibilities that this public-private partnership could provide, the number of stakeholders presented inherent difficulties for the EUL. It would be difficult for the Air Force to coordinate land use, local taxes, municipal services, and economic development with numerous local governments, so the Utah Legislature created the Military Installation Development Authority to act as a single authority to interface with the Air Force.

Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park – MIDA’s First Project Area

Falcon Hill is the largest EUL in the Air Force and one of the largest EULs in the Department of Defense.  To begin development, the Air Force conducted a competitive bidding process to select a private developer. The Air Force ultimately selected Sunset Ridge Development Partners (SRDP), a joint venture between Woodbury Corporation and Hunt Companies.  MIDA, the Air Force and SRDP subsequently entered into a three-way agreement that stipulates that MIDA provide municipal services, acts as the taxing and land use authority, and serves as the trustee of the Air Force’s payment in-kind account.

Read more about Falcon Hill >>

Military Recreational Facility (MRF) – MIDA’s Second Project Area

The MRF Project Area located in Wasatch County includes the Mayflower Mountain Resort, the first brand-new ski resort to be developed in the United States in 40 years, and is located on the west side of Highway 40 and on the eastern flank of Deer Valley Resort. 

In 2018, MIDA partnered with Wasatch County, the Air Force and EX Utah Development LLC (EX Utah) to create a new Morale, Welfare and  Recreation (MWR) hotel.  Construction is under way on the MWR hotel at Mayflower and is expected to open in December 2023. The 387-room conference hotel includes a block of 100 rooms that will be  available on a preferred rate basis for our nation’s service men and women, whether on active duty or retired. A military concierge will be on site.

The history behind the MWR hotel coming to life is a storied one. A small MWR ski lodge near Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah, closed in the late 1990s in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2001, Congress passed legislation granting a federally-owned, 26-acre parcel in Park City, Utah (the Red Maple parcel) to the Air Force on which to either construct a new MWR facility or trade for other property of equal value. Written into the legislation was a requirement to partner with a private or governmental entity for construction, as no monies were appropriated for the project. 

Simultaneously, Wasatch County was engaged in strategic master planning to develop 4,700 acres surrounding the Jordanelle Reservoir. The Air Force approached MIDA for assistance in finding a suitable location for the new MWR facility, and, in 2017, Wasatch County reached out to MIDA with a proposed parcel that ultimately Extell agreed to donate. With MIDA facilitating the land trade, the opportunity arose to partner with Wasatch County and Extell, the ideal three-way partnership to pursue the county’s vison for development. With the exchange with the Air Force completed, Park City is slated to purchase the Red Maple parcel from MIDA for $2 million. 

Read more about the Military Recreation Facility Project Area >>