The Mat-Su Valley is what dreams are made of -- beautiful country, friendly people, countless opportunities to explore, and adventure -- all perfectly blended with access to the modern amenities that make life even better.

The Mat-Su Valley, an abbreviated name for the Matanuska and Susitna rivers, encompasses over 23,000 square miles located between Anchorage and Denali State Park in the southcentral region of Alaska. Mat-Su's unique cities and towns have backdrops that include a wide variety of stunning natural features like glaciers, soaring mountains, pristine lakes and rivers, and abundant wildlife that Alaska is renowned for.

Those who pioneered into this great land have always attested to the quality of life afforded by living in Mat-Su. Historical towns like Wasilla, Palmer and others are filled with distinctive lifestyles featuring fine dining and shopping combined with unique social and cultural exploration opportunities like art galleries and festivals. An event like the annual Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival is just one of the many examples where people gather, enjoy the scenery and find themselves thanking their lucky stars for being able to sleep soundly beneath Alaskan skies.

Those seeking a life beyond the mundane and common find the Mat-Su Valley opens new doors to replenish their passion for nature. Where else can you enjoy the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis from your front porch while planning your next day’s adventure to one of the Mat-Su Valley’s famous Alaskan state parks? It’s easy to visit the Denali State Park, Nancy Lake State Park or the Independence Mine State Historical Park with convenient access to three major highways.

Residents can walk out their doors and enjoy countless activities year round. Winters encourage skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and ice fishing, while warmer months bring out the hikers, bikers, campers and fishermen. The Mat-Su Borough is dotted with many lakes that offer endless opportunities for Still Water fishing as well as camping at one of the valley’s breathtaking parks.

With access comes opportunity, and the Mat-Su Valley’s growth is credited to both its beauty and the foresight to plan for tomorrow. As the population continues to increase, so does the expansion and growth of the area’s economic future. A business-friendly environment complements excellent schools and a well-trained workforce. The resulting growth is staggering. Tourism continues to expand, fueling the completion of new hospitals, ski resorts and new road projects. Residents here support a variety of industries and businesses, resulting in the construction of a plethora of projects to suit commercial market needs and professional office space. The Mat-Su Valley is the fastest growing area in Alaska, with an annual growth rate of 4.2 percent. Already, nearly 70,000 people have carved out their own piece of Alaskan heaven to call home.