Borough Mayor honors 60th anniversary of establishment of MSB

During the first regular Mat Su Borough meeting of 2024, MSB Mayor Edna DeVries took a few minutes to issue a proclamation honoring the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Matanuska Susitna Borough.

The meeting kicked off with a special video to mark the occasion, highlighting the origins of the Borough when the federal government, in response to the Great Depression, sponsored the Mat-Su Colony Project. From that effort, 200 were moved from the Midwest to Matanuska Valley, and in exchanged for settling, were offered parcels of land and supplies, all in hopes of establishing a self-sustaining community of farmers and agriculture, which is still a vibrant part of the MSB.

As the population of the Valley grew, so too did the need for infrastructure, which included roads, schools, and other community needs, including an initiative to restructure and reorganize local governments, the Matanuska Susitna Borough was formed on January 1, 1964.

A few years later, when the United States began collecting census information, the population of the MSB was listed at 5,188. During the most recent census in 2020, the population of the MSB is well over 113,000. The size of the MSB is about the size of West Virginia, and with the continuing growth, the Borough is the second largest community in the state.

The video also highlighted the coming Arctic Winter Games, which the Borough will be hosting for the first time ever.

The proclamation honors the legacy of the pioneers whose courage and tenacity helped them see the potential within the land and the opportunities it provided, while keeping on eye on the future, remaining focused on preserving the pristine beauty of the lands, fostering the economic growth as the MSB also grows.

“The growth and diversity of the Mat-Su Borough are a testament to the enduring spirit of its people, who have welcomed newcomers, embraced change and adapted to the evolving needs of our diverse community.”

“I urge all residents and citizens to join in celebration of this occasion; to reflect on our history; and to appreciate the natural wonders that surround us; and to embrace the diversity and growth that makes our community strong and more vibrant,” said Mayor DeVries after reading the proclamation.

To view the MSB YouTube video, see here.