Native corporation buys Valley gravel company

PALMER — An Alaska Native corporation has acquired a Valley gravel and asphalt company with hopes of getting in on the region’s continued growth.

Ahtna Inc., based in Glennallen, recently announced the purchase of AAA Valley Gravel, a Palmer contractor that has been in business for almost 30 years.

“The Mat-Su Valley is a prime area for increased highway spending due to its rapid growth,” Tom Maloney, CEO of Ahtna construction subsidiary Ahtna Netiye’, said in a press release. “Ahtna is excited to help support planned development in the region and create jobs for out shareholder-owners and local workforce.”

AAA Valley Gravel is headed by David O’Donnell, who also is president of Ahtna Construction and Primary Products Inc., a civil construction, pipeline maintenance, emergency preparedness and oil spill response company. O’Donnell said AAA’s asphalt plant, sand and crushed aggregate operation sits in a prime location off Old Trunk Road and will be positioned to compete for potential Valley projects.

“Despite the state budget troubles, there are already a decent amount of projects on the board,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said AAA will employ six to eight people during the height of the construction season, adding that Bill Fuger, AAA’s former owner, is staying on with the new management.

“AAA has been family owned for 30 years and Bill maintained a comfortable level of revenue,” O’Donnell said. “It’s a good operation.”

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com