Deep-Draft Dock

New lessees at Port MacKenzie signed up for long-term leases because they see the business opportunity in the growing port’s infrastructure. In 2010, a super-Panamax size vessel—too large to fit through the Panama Canal—easily pulled up to the fenders at Port MacKenzie’s deep draft dock. It was the deepest draft vessel ever in Knik Arm. The test shipment successfully performed the efficient loading of natural resources by conveyor from dock to ship.
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Expanded Barge Dock

The 14.7-acre barge dock was recently expanded to provide a lay-down area for large projects and the staging area of heavy equipment.
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Wide Open Space for Industrial and Commercial Development

The 14-square miles of industrial uplands provide space that no other Alaska port can offer.

 Port MacKenzie Rail

The 32-mile rail link will shorten the distance between the Interior and tidewater, creating the tipping point for the development of new industries with low transportation costs. Already funded $115 million by the Alaska legislature, the project is under construction in segments and expected to be completed in 2016. The longest industrial rail loop in the Port will provide for efficient movement of materials between ship, rail, truck and barge.

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Lessees Keep Moving In

The deep draft dock, the expanded barge dock, the unconstrained industrial uplands, and the coming rail link are why new lessees position themselves at Port MacKenzie in long-term leases. Two new lessees are investing in infrastructure with rail sidings for their businesses. One company, PacArctic Logistics, offered scheduled service from Seattle before it had time to plant its company sign. Customer demand is increasing.

New lessee Central Alaska Energy will build a tank farm and seeks to offer competitive low sulfur fuel for Interior Alaska. 

The Borough continues to support long-term lessee Alutiiq Manufacturing Contractors (AMC) with its construction of modular homes for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since the summer of 2001, 68 homes have been shipped from Port MacKenzie to rural communities in Alaska. The unique aspect is that residents from the benefiting communities help build their homes. Alutiiq also manufactures oil field modules.

NPI, a wood chip company, has constructed a 1.25 mile access road, 18-acre pad, and 3,000’ conveyor system to the new deep-draft dock.

The Borough is also discussing a variety of cooperative efforts with other partners who own land in the Port District including Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI) and the University of Alaska. These two organizations understand the economic benefits that will accrue to their organizations from Port MacKenzie.

Leaders Who Invested in Alaska's Transportation Infrastructure

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough thanks Congressman Don Young and the late US Senator Ted Stevens for investing in transportation infrastructure for all Alaskans. Representative Young helped appropriate funding for Phase I and Senator Stevens provided the funds to move beyond Phase I. Former State Senator Lyda Green was instrumental in obtaining a $10 million state grant for the construction of the deep-draft dock. The Borough voters approved Proposition 9, in October 2003, which enabled this project to be substantially completed in 2004. The Borough completed Phase II of the project, which was funded by FTA, Federal Transit Administration, funds obtained by Senator Stevens and state funds obtained by Senator Green.

Phase II Development Well Underway

Phase II brought electrical power, and telephone service. The dock’s fill was stabilized further with vibro-compaction. The steep 10 percent grade  of the 1.25-mile access port road was reduced to 5% in 2012 and will be paved in 2013. 

Additionally, a master planning effort is underway to identify how the port lands should be subdivided and parcels allocated (by industry/use).

The Port MacKenzie marine port and industrial complex remains the Borough's key economic development project. The Borough continues to work with business firms located at the port in their efforts to expand and is working to locate additional firms at the port.

Many new jobs have been created as a direct result of Port MacKenzie. The businesses located at the Port will contribute significantly to economic development throughout the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and will provide alternative revenue to the Borough’s General Fund.