Bright promise

It is The Frontiersman's policy to feature as many new Mat-Su businesses in the paper as we can like the pending opening of a new microbrewery in this edition and to cover new developments among the area's existing businesses. To this end we run a Valley Money section and a Business Spotlight each week.

We are pleased to report there is no shortage of material for our reporters. The Valley continues to show steady economic growth to match its reputation as the area in Alaska with the fastest growing population. This should come as no surprise.

Few areas in the Great Land have both the natural beauty and accessibility the Matanuska-Susitna Valley offers. It is a challenge to buy land here that does not have a scenic view of one kind or another. Compared to Anchorage, land prices are either lower, or offer much more acreage for the same price.

Our public infrastructure is growing along with everything else. The number of medical facilities is increasing, more of our roads and streets are getting paved, we have two city police departments and a state trooper detachment for public safety, and our schools, though getting crowded, are still among the best in the state. Our fire and emergency services are operated by dedicated residents, our utilities are expanding in short, the Mat-Su Valley is in good position to begin attracting the kinds of businesses and industries that can provide a solid, year-round employment base for our citizens.

And, as we prepare to enter the 21st Century, that bodes well for all of us.