Mat-Su AWG awarded $1.5M state grant

Matanuska-Susitna Borough will get a $1.5 million state grant to help fund the upcoming Arctic Winter Games (AWG).

The AWG contribution came about through work by Senator David Wilson, who represents the Mat-Su in the state senate, and worked out earlier by the senator with Senator Lyman Hoffman, of Bethel, who serves as co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee for the capital budget. Senator Hoffman made the Arctic Winter Games amendment part of a late addition by senators to the capital budget before it went to the House.

The grant was a late addition to the state budget and was part the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget approved by the Legislature at the end of a one-day special session Thursday, May 18, that followed the regular session.

“Hats off to the Mat-Su Borough for advocating on our behalf in Juneau for a second grant. We are also thankful for Senator David Wilson who initiated legislation for these grants two years in a row, and for the support from the rest of our Valley delegation,” said Amy Spargo, Host Society Chair Mat Su 2024 AWG.

“We are over 2/3 of the way to our goal. Fundraising and in-kind requests continue on many fronts,” she said, adding that the Mat-Su 2024 AWG are working diligently to seek out foundation grants and corporate sponsorships, all while promoting our Friend of the Games campaign.

The State of Alaska is an original partner for the Arctic Winter Games, and since 1970, grants have been given to communities hosting the Games.

“However, in 1970 there were 500 participants. In 2024, we expect 2,000 participants, and things have gotten a lot more expensive. Our first grant of $2 million dollars in 2022 was thrilling, but we were still a long way from a balanced budget.”

But above all, Spargo says that the AWG is thankful to the Mat-Su community.

“We wouldn't be able to host the Games without broad-based community support,” she said, adding, “This is an opportunity to unite and celebrate our community while connecting to our northern neighbors, and it is going to be loads of fun!”

For more information about the upcoming Mat Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games, please visit www.awg2024.org