Mat-Su Sentinel opens first office, expands community presence
The office is located in a 1950s-era building in downtown Palmer near the Mat-Su Borough headquarters.
PALMER — The Mat-Su Sentinel has opened its first public office, creating a dedicated space for staff and a new hub for news connections in the Mat-Su.
Located near the Koslosky Center and the Valley Hotel in Palmer, the office sits within blocks of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough administrative building, the Mat-Su Borough School District headquarters, the Palmer Courthouse and Palmer City Hall.
The newsroom will serve as headquarters for the Sentinel’s growing operations, providing workspace for current and future staff while also offering a place to connect with readers and help shape future news coverage.
The building at 545 S. Alaska Street was selected for its proximity to the locations staff visit most frequently for reporting. While the Sentinel is relatively new to the Mat-Su, its building is not — the historic space was constructed in the 1950s and has served as home to many local businesses.
The Mat-Su Sentinel is a nonprofit founded to provide fact-based, nonpartisan, connect-the-dots news reporting to the Mat-Su. Its new office space is supported by reader donations, corporate sponsorships, advertising and grants.
The Sentinel was previously operated out of founder Amy Bushatz’s home office, where she has based her journalism career for more than 18 years. Moving into an official office space marks the next step in the organization’s continued growth.
The new space is also intended to strengthen connections between the newsroom and the community it serves. In addition to day-to-day reporting operations, the office will provide a place for informal conversations, story tips and future community events.
Office hours are expected to be sporadic for now, with timing dependent on daily reporting assignments. Staff will typically be present during the morning and early afternoon beginning later this month. Visitors are welcome to stop by and knock; staff may be available to say hello and offer a brief tour as the space continues to be set up.
A custom exterior sign for the office was designed and created by Wasilla-based Mountain Top Metal Co.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and donor open house will be announced in the coming weeks.