WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
Your local forum for discussion, participation and comment in matters of concern to the community. WACO promotes the social, cultural and economic welfare of the Willow area.
This website is a service for the community of Willow, Alaska. Find WACO meeting minutes and agendas as well as information about committees, the community center and, local groups. Committee and group news or announcements are also posted as received. View the calendar for the schedule of local activities/events.
WACO Community Meeting
The first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Willow Community Center
Latest News and Upcoming Events
*** The following was received by WACO,:
A. the Sponsor Letter from Rep. McCabe's office below.
B. The House Joint Resolution No14 (a 5 page document accompanying this letter is not conducive for FB posting, but can be provided by request sent to: [email protected] )
HJR 14 Ver A
SPONSOR STATEMENT “Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska
Railroad to a community-minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure.”
House Joint Resolution 14 advocates for the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension, two critical projects that will enhance Alaska’s infrastructure, economic resilience, and national security. As the only U.S. state bordering the Arctic Ocean, Alaska plays a key role in Arctic strategy, defense
operations, and resource development. The Port MacKenzie Rail Extension is a cornerstone of Alaska’s long-term economic and logistical strategy. By providing a direct rail link between Interior Alaska and tidewater access at Port MacKenzie, Seward, Whittier,
and Anchorage, this extension will reduce transportation costs, improve energy security, and expand market access for industries such as mining, agriculture, and natural gas. The completion of this project will not only strengthen supply chains but also increase the state’s resiliency by ensuring an alternative transportation corridor
in the event of highway disruptions caused by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, or port congestion elsewhere in the state.
The Northern Rail Extension remains essential to U.S. national security, particularly with the expansion of the Arctic Mission at Fort Greely. As home to the nation’s missile defense system, Fort Greely plays a critical role in protecting the U.S. and its allies. Despite this, it is the only military base in Alaska without rail access. Completing the Northern Rail Extension will provide a reliable, cost-effective means of transporting military equipment, personnel, and supplies, reinforcing the nation’s defense posture in the Arctic as geopolitical
competition intensifies.
Significant progress has already been made. Phase 1 of the Northern Rail Extension, including the Tanana River crossing, has brought the rail line within 70 miles of Delta Junction and Fort Greely. Similarly, the MatanuskaSusitna Borough and the Alaska Railroad have completed nearly two-thirds of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension, underscoring the project’s viability and importance.
This resolution also calls for a community-minded approach to rail expansion, urging the Alaska Railroad to work transparently with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure responsible development. Furthermore, HJR 14 urges Alaska’s congressional delegation to advocate for federal support in completing these essential projects, recognizing that while other Arctic nations invest heavily in infrastructure, the United States must act to maintain
its leadership in the region.
HJR 14 represents a unified commitment to economic growth, national security, and Alaskan resiliency. I
respectfully urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical resolution.
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IT'S COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP time again Willow!
Dumpster will be at the Community Center May 3-4, Noon to 5pm
WHAT TO DO:
1. Pick up Yellow Bags now (from Roni's Deli, Newman's gas station, or Library Lobby
2. Start collecting trash accumulated on roads and lands (Matsu Borough Roadsides, Right of Ways, and Public Lands only)
3. Bring the Yellow bags with what you collected to the Dumpster at the Community Center Parking lot on May3 & 4, Noon to 5
* No Roadside pickup available
* Dumpster will be closed except posted hours.
* No Yellow Bags nor free dumping at any regular Transfer Site.
* No Private Property cleanup or Household trash please!!
* Metals and Hazardous materials should be brought separately to
the Dumpster Site, do not put in yellow bags. - See Rules regarding
Metals, Hazardous Waste, and Prohibited Items here: wacoak.sharepoint.com/:p:/s/WACODOCUMENTS/EUAI5u11t7hOmaB3BXUZIwIBeBxC8KDuOj_r7Hpwc_NtpQ?e=xGPxlJ
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The Meeting Minutes from the April 2nd WACO meeting have been published:
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*** There is ONLY one *WACO* page! The Willow AREA Community Organization Page: www.facebook.com/willowareacommunity
The WACO FB page is not a group. It's a *page*, much like many businesses have to communicate and promote their products/services. Its purpose is to broadcast Willow related news, events, issues, and State or Borough communications and decisions. If you want to stay informed about what impacts your quality of life, property values, area plans, roads, etc. along with community organized events - you need to <Follow> the WACO FB page!
To see posts from the WACO page in your FB feed, use the link above and "follow" us (much like you'd follow any person or business on FB).
For clarity, there are also several "Willow" groups on FB... these Groups are managed by different admins, serve various purposes, and audiences. To see posts on these groups, you have to "join" them.
The WACO page admins often "share" posts from the WACO page to a few of the Willow Groups. But - because these groups get many posts about local business specials, road conditions, requests for recommendations for professionals, etc... it can make it hard to find the WACO posts.
*** Bottom line: Visit, Like and Follow the WACO FB page to have a reliable, uncluttered view of Willow news and events that impact YOUR life.
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