Build it and businesses will come

With the projected growth in the Mat-Su Borough, any business would be sure to prosper getting off on the ground floor, and that ground floor could be in the city of Houston. Houston has more than 2,000 residents who spend their money outside their city limits. This includes, but is not limited to, fuel for their vehicles, staples for their homes and midnight cravings.

A large percentage of people like to spend their hard-earned money within the community where they live. Supporting local business ensures the next time they need a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread that business will still be there to supply their needs.

In April 2012, the state of Alaska did a study on the Alaska Population Projections for 2010-2035. In this study by economic region, the Mat-Su Borough and Anchorage will grow to more than 600,000 people by 2035. The strongest growth is projected for the Anchorage/Mat-Su Region, with the Mat-Su Borough’s population projected to nearly double over the projection period. The boroughs/census areas with the highest levels of projected average annual growth over the period include Mat-Su at 3.2 percent. The Mat-Su is projected to grow from 89,721 in 2010 to 103,070 by 2015. There will be a need to broaden the living areas from what they are now as areas will fill up quickly and people will migrate to surrounding areas. One of these surrounding areas will be the city of Houston.

So you ask, what is the point? The point is, the city of Houston is business friendly and would like to welcome any business that may be considering expansion, a satellite office or to be the first in this area and make Houston your home.

Virgie Thompson has been mayor of Houston since October 2010.