Home building a good sign

Todays paper features two articles that reflect well on the areas economy. One deals with new home construction in Mat-Su, showing that last years near record home construction pace is expected to continue into the new millennium as well. The other article deals with the number of construction permits issued by the Mat-Su Borough and the cities of Palmer and Wasilla. In all three instances, the number of permits issued last year grew over the year before, and all three government entities see little reason for things to change in the year 2000.

Loosely translated, the numbers in the two stories indicate that the Valleys population growth will apparently continue apace. That, in turn, is causing more and more businesses and entrepreneurs to look at establishing themselves in Mat-Su as did Wal-Mart and Fred Meyer. The Valley is also beginning to see more fast-food chains move in, and strong rumors have persisted that Office Max, A&W Root Beer, and other major chain stores like Home Depot and/or Eagle Hardware are seriously eyeing the Valley for suitable locations.

All this good news about growth also ties into yesterdays opening of this years session of the Alaska State Legislature. Why?

Well, as the areas population and economy grow, the demand for public services such as water and sewer, more paved roads, fixing roads already paved, new schools and more teachers, among other things will increase accordingly. Local government officials are already taking the Valleys growth into consideration in planning capital improvement projects, but a good deal of the money for those projects will need to come from the state. As the legislative session begins, the governor and Legislature are $130 million apart on what the budget should be, with the Legislature on the low end of the gap.

This is going to put enormous pressure on the Valleys legislative delegation to obtain the necessary state funds to help keep the areas economy humming along. In the state House of Representatives, a good deal of that pressure will fall on the shoulders of Rep. Beverly Masek, of Willow, who may well be the Valleys only majority member in the House, if the leadership continues to keep Reps. Vic Kohring and Scott Ogan out of the majority.

The Valley has two state Senators Rick Halford and Lyda Green and many residents and entities like local governments, will be counting on them to come through for their constituents.

The Frontiersman will be watching the legislature closely and checking in regularly with the Valleys delegation throughout the session to see how things important to Mat-Su are progressing.