Casey Ressler is thrilled. The new Gateway Visitor Center is close to its long-awaited opening. Ressler is the President and CEO of the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The opening will mark the culmination of a vision that began almost two decades ago by the Bureau. The location was chosen after a 2010 feasibility study examined sites throughout the borough.
The building is complete. Ressler is even working at his office there. Crews are finishing the installation of exhibits and displays. The center is expected to welcome visitors by mid-June.
The Bureau will plan a community celebration in coordination with the Mat-Su Borough to mark the opening of the visitor center.
The center is near Matanuska Lake at the entrance to the Mat-Su Valley. It offers views of the Chugach Mountains and Pioneer Peak. Visitors can enjoy paved walking paths that include scenic overlooks, a designated selfie spot, and a picnic area. It will provide travelers with the opportunity to learn about the region.
The center is not meant to be a final destination. The goal is to provide visitors with an introduction to the Mat-Su experience and encourage them to explore communities across the borough according to Ressler. He wants them to discover the unique experiences that each offers.
He added that the Gateway Visitor Center is intended to complement, not replace, existing attractions such as the Palmer Museum of History and Art and the Wasilla Museum. The bureau is working closely with both.
Ressler highlighted the growing national awareness of the Mat-Su region. He noted that a recent national travel article featuring lesser-known destinations included the Mat-Su Valley. He explained that such recognition often results from years of relationship-building with travel writers and media representatives. This has been part of the bureau’s tourism promotion efforts.
The center will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. It plans to remain open year-round. Hours may be adjusted seasonally as visitor patterns become clearer.
Funding for the project came primarily from a $6.7 million Federal Economic Development Administration grant funded through the American Rescue Plan. The sale of the previous visitor center property provided funds for the required local match. Ressler stressed that local property taxes were not used to construct the building.
Ongoing operations will be supported through tourism promotion funds generated by the borough bed tax. Visitors pay this tax when staying in hotels, lodges, and short-term rentals.
The center is designed as a community asset as well as serving tourists. The classroom and meeting space are equipped with large presentation screens. They can accommodate up to 100 people and will be available for rentals, educational programs, and events. Outdoor gatherings and concerts are also being considered.
Ressler says the bureau focuses on welcoming visitors and supporting local communities. It is also launching a newly redesigned tourism website. He believes Alaska continues to hold a special place in travelers’ imaginations, but notes that continued promotion is essential to keep the Mat-Su Valley on the must-visit lists of travelers.
This article was based on an interview with Casey Ressler on Valley Edition on Friday May 22. Listen to the interview on bigcabbageradio.org in Valley Edition under Podcasts.
The second public meeting on the safety and capacity improvements planned for the Glenn Highway from Arctic Avenue to Palmer Fishhook is at the Palmer Depot tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. . The Alaska Department of Transportation is collecting input on the plan. Stop by to look at the plans and give DOT feedback.
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday June 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau