MatSu Creamery beats the odds

Fri, May 30, 2008
Posted in Alaska News, Top Stories

It was a long shot, but today, the eagerly anticipated Matanuska Creamery became a reality. Federal and state dignitaries stood with Matanuska Valley dairy farmers to cut the blue ribbon at opening ceremonies at the facility on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Senator Ted Stevens, and Congressman Don Young were on hand for the celebration. Young said the new creamery marks a step forward for local dairy production.

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA - Palmer

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Comments

8 Comments to “MatSu Creamery beats the odds”

John on May 31, 2008 at 9:12 am

Good on em. However, its been said they may have benefited from an equipment raid on Mat Maid property and prior to liquidation of such. That invokes the thought that they are bypassing the proper liquidation process for one, but did they also get special treatment on the price of the equipment? If they did that further shows the state has no business in the private sector and the cost of Mat Maid lives on.
Sam Duncan on May 31, 2008 at 1:24 pm

This business was funded totally by the State of Alaska in the gift of a million dollars in equipment for a pittance of a lease, $1.6 million from the USDA (one million dollars loan writedowns for bad debt) and $650,000 grant money, and another $75,000 gift from 3 mining companies. The owners of this new business are defunct dairy farmers who stiffed the state for over $2.5 million dollars in unpaid loans from the ARLF. the only reason this is getting any attention is that it was Sarah Palin’s first pet project. It won’t be long before they are looking to the ARLF for more money. There is not enough milk in the state to support this and they vow not to buy any outside milk. there is not glory in how this business was started. It was a GIFT flat out.
mpb on May 31, 2008 at 4:37 pm

I also tried to buy “Alaskan” dairy products when I first arrived in Alaska, but never was the MatMaid price competitive and never was there a difference in quality or products to make up for the pricing.

I volunteered a lot of hours at Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks. If any dairy could have survived in modern Alaska, it would have been there. But once the truck routes and barging for milk products from outside were good (mid 60s) there isn’t any way for a comprehensive dairy business to fairly compete.

Maybe artisanal cheeses; a good goat brie; etc. It’s like saying we need another Budweiser brewery (at customer expense).
John on May 31, 2008 at 4:39 pm

Sam I dont think you know where your posting….this is APRN….liberal bastion of govt. “cradle to grave” ideals. I’m shocked we havent been censored yet as there is nothing democratic about democrats.

I get the pet project part, every Gov has them, but how long can a dead horse be beaten before the whip needs replaced?

Well I’m wondering if we should start lining up in the Bread Ooops…Creamery line for a cup of Alaskan milk.
John Proffitt on May 31, 2008 at 5:58 pm

Alaska is filled with people, businesses and projects that have been funded by state and federal dollars for decades. I’m not sure why picking on the creamery in particular makes sense, unless you’re looking for some angle from which to attack the governor, and this isn’t necessarily a slam-dunk for Palin objectors anyway.

I’d venture to say that if you don’t like government “handouts” as a matter of principle, then you might be more comfortable living in another state. Alaska gets more federal dollars per capita than any other state in the country.

I’m not saying it’s right, and I’m not saying it’s wrong — I can see both sides of this coin. Let’s just be honest about how so many things are funded in the 49th state.
John Proffitt on May 31, 2008 at 6:07 pm

By the way “John” — you are indeed treading close to the moderation line when you toss around unfounded and mean-spirited insults, whether about APRN or anyone else (even if you’re just trying to be funny). APRN and her journalists are up for criticism any day, as we make mistakes like anyone else. But calling APRN a “liberal bastion of govt. ‘cradle to grave’ ideals” is a ridiculous hyper-political generalization that doesn’t add to the conversation.

So please, share your comments or thoughts — we’re happy to host them. Just keep it on point and *add* to the conversation by providing additional, alternative viewpoints in a respectful and thoughtful manner.

We’ll never moderate a comment for being critical of APRN. But we’ll always moderate one if it gets personal, nasty, or uses baseless claims.
John on June 1, 2008 at 1:00 am

If it were me., I wouldn’t have responded at all. My APRN comments should have bounced off of any rep from there if for no other reason; it was directed to the previous like minded poster, not to ARPN. I do believe APRN trod’s the liberal line as a member of the liberal media left, just as Rush does for the right, and that’s not an insult but my opinion. If you don’t like it you will silence me as the press often does in favor of what is “fit” to print.

No the “liberal press” is not a hyper foundationless comment but factual. If you don’t like me being again opinionated thus, you will silence that. It’s the way of the press…print what sells…then what they like. Again, you are NOT under attack here. It’s my first amendment opinion. As Michael Savage says “You have a right to your opinion and I will die to defend your right to say it, whether I agree or not”. He was speaking to liberals when he said it, and it originated from an early (1960’s ) Democrat. The difference between liberal free speech, and any other is you must conform if it’s liberally controlled. The second amendment wasn’t placed in the constitution to protect polite speech, but rather to protect “politically correct challenged” speech. I challenge you to allow this post in the spirit in which it was written and for all who have sacrificed for free speech.
John Proffitt on June 1, 2008 at 6:27 pm

Comment approved (above) obviously. But that’s it for this story and this thread. The story was about the Mat-Su creamery deal and it’s turned into a platform for personal comments about the press. That’s not why we operate this site.

I recommend you try blogging, if you’re not already doing it. You’re a pretty good writer with some interesting ideas. It’s just that this site isn’t a blogging site.

Personally, I recommend WordPress.com — it’s free, popular and easy to use.