Palmer, AK | Palmer Business Listings Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
Current Population: 4,495 (certified December, 2000, by DCED) Incorporation Type: Home Rule City Borough Located In: Matanuska-Susitna Borough Taxes: Sales: 3%, Property: 3.00 mills (City); 11.94 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough) Location and Climate
Palmer is located in the center of the lush farmlands of the Matanuska Valley, 42 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. It lies at approximately 61d 36m N Latitude, 149d 06m W Longitude (Sec. 04, T017N, R002E, Seward Meridian). Palmer is located in the Palmer Recording District. The area encompasses 3.7 sq. miles of land and 0 sq. miles of water. The average temperatures in January range from 4 to 21; in July, 44 to 67. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches, with 50 inches of snowfall. History, Culture and Demographics
Palmer was established around 1916 as a railway station on the Matanuska Branch of the Alaska Railroad. In 1935, Palmer became the site of one of the most unusual experiments in American history: the Matanuska Valley Colony. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration, one of the many New Deal relief agencies created by President Roosevelt, planned an agricultural colony in Alaska. 203 families, mostly from Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, were invited to join the colony. They arrived in Palmer in the early summer of 1935. Although the failure rate was high, many of their descendants still live in the Mat-Su Valley today. The City of Plamer was formed in 1951. Construction of the statewide road system, and the rapid development of Anchorage has fueled growth in the Mat-Su valley.
Alaska Natives represent 7.7% of the population. The valley is renowned for the annual Alaska State Fair, where local farmers produce award-winning vegetables. Popular recreation sites include Bonnie Lake, Finger Lake and Long Lake.
During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 1,169 total housing units, and 171 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 16.7%, with 904 jobs estimated to be in the community and 53.9% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $34,940, and 6.2% of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Water is provided by three deep wells, is treated and stored in a million-gallon reservoir. Sewage is collected by pipe and treated in an aerated lagoon facility. The schools and Palmer Correctional Center operate individual well systems. All homes are completely plumbed. Matanuska Electric Assoc. is part owner of the Alaska Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative, Inc., which operates a gas turbine plant in Soldotna and also purchases electricity from Chugach Electric and the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project. The Mat-Su Borough operates the landfill.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There are 10 schools located in the community, attended by 5,726 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital. The Hospital is a qualified Acute Care facility and is privately-owned. Long Term Care: Palmer Pioneers' Home Auxiliary health care is provided by Palmer Ambulance Service (373-8800/745-4811); Mat-Su Borough Dive Rescue Team (373-8800); Valley Transport Service (373-8800).
Economy and Transportation
Palmer's economy is based on a diversity of retail and other services, and city, borough, state and federal government. Some light manufacturing occurs. Many are employed in Anchorage. 76 area residents hold commercial fishing permits. Palmer is home to 200 musk ox whose underwool (qiviut) is knitted into garments by Alaska Native women from 12 rural villages. Between 2,500 and 3,500 garments are created each year by these women, and sold by an Anchorage cooperative. The 75-acre musk ox farm is also a tourist attraction. The University has an Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Office and a district Cooperative Extension Service office here. The University's Matanuska Research Farm is also located in Palmer.
Palmer lies on the Glenn Highway. Commercial airlines serve the Anchorage International Airport, but the Palmer Municipal Airport supports private and chartered services with two paved airstrips, one at 6,000' and the other at 3,616'. There are seven additional privately-owned airstrips in the vicinity. Float planes may land at nearby Finger Lake or Wolf Lake. The Alaska Railroad connects Palmer to Whittier, Seward or Anchorage for ocean freight delivery.