Happy holidays LAA communities! I would like to take a moment to celebrate this holiday season and reflect on an incredible first year of the Local Administrative Advisor (LAA) program at WFRC. From improving local infrastructure and supporting funding requests to implementing new policies and procedures across the region, the great efforts of the cities and towns I have the privilege of working with have laid a strong foundation for the future of our communities in Utah. Thank you for your hard work and collaboration to help make the LAA program succeed. I look forward to continuing the work we do together in 2025.

Looking ahead to January, don't forget to register for Local Officials Day hosted by the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) at the Utah Legislature on January 22, 2025. The schedule includes Capitol activities, a mock floor debate, and panels on topics such as the Utah Legislative College Internship Program, advocacy, and the legislative process.

Lastly, you may have seen Executive Director Andrew Gruber's year-end message below if you receive the WFRC Newsletter. If you are not already subscribed, click here to sign up to get the WFRC Newsletter in addition to the LAA Connection newsletter.

Year End Message from WFRC's Executive Director

Dear colleagues, partners, and friends of WFRC,

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what is sometimes called the “Utah way” of collaborating together, planning for the future, and caring for our communities. This doesn’t happen automatically; it takes intentional and sometimes challenging work to find common ground as we all seek to maintain and even enhance the quality of life in our region and state, now and for generations to come. 

We’re honored to do this work with you. We are deeply grateful to our WFRC Council and committee members and the elected officials in our region for their dedication and vision; we admire the talented city and county staff who work every day serving their communities; we appreciate our partners at UDOT, UTA, MAG, ULCT, and UAC; we value the business and community leaders who take time out of their busy lives to participate in charting the course for Utah’s future. 

Whether it’s providing regional planning, project funding, analysis and data, technical assistance, or the myriad other ways we support our communities, we hope you see WFRC as your partner in advancing a shared long-term vision for transportation, land use, and economic opportunity, embodied in the Wasatch Choice Vision. 

As we close out the year, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to another year of working with you all!

Happy holidays,

Andrew Gruber

WFRC Executive Director

Utah Department of Water Quality (DWR) Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG Program) - January 10, 2025

This program assists municipalities in addressing sewer overflows and promoting stormwater reuse. Projects must be stormwater projects which manage, reduce, treat, or recapture water through the use of green infrastructure. Applications are accepted through January 10, 2025.

USDA Rural Business Development Grants - February 28, 2025

This federal program is designed to promote economic development and job creation projects in Utah. Eligible activities include community economic development, feasibility studies, or the acquisition or development of land. View the eligibility map, and click here to see the full funding opportunity and application details.

Funding Pathfinder - Find Federal Grants Easily

Searches for federal grants can be difficult to navigate, which is why the National League of Cities and the Local Infrastructure Hub developed the new Funding Pathfinder. The Funding Pathfinder is an interactive tool that provides a tailored list of eligible federal funding programs for local infrastructure projects, utilizing a simple survey form to figure out how to connect you to relevant federal grants.

Utah Recreation and Parks Association's (URPA) Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course - January 27-29, 2025

Join URPA in their Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course at the Utah Local Governments Trust in North Salt Lake from January 27-29. A CPSI helps local governments ensure playgrounds meet national safety standards, reducing the risk of injuries and liability while enhancing community safety. Their expertise in hazard identification, compliance, and cost-effective maintenance protects both city/town resources and members of the community. For more information on how to register, visit URPA's website here.

Becoming a Passport Acceptance Facility - Training Available

Becoming a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility allows municipalities to provide a valuable service to residents while generating additional revenue ($35 processing fee per application). It enhances community engagement by offering a convenient local option for passport services and can increase foot traffic to other city/town services. The U.S. Department of State provides training and support, making it an great opportunity for government offices to better serve their communities.

Do you have a community photo you would like highlighted in a future newsletter? Email your suggestions to madison@wfrc.org to be included in the January edition of the LAA Connection.

Sincerely,

Madison Aviles

Local Administrative Advisor