About Us
Who We Are
MVP (Mat-Su Valley Planning) for Transportation is the newly designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Mat-Su Valley. Established in 2023 as a non-profit organization, MVP was formed following the federal designation of the Wasilla—Knik-Fairview—North Lakes area as an Urbanized Area. As a federally required transportation planning body, MVP is governed by a Policy Board that includes representatives from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, City of Palmer, City of Wasilla, Chickaloon Native Village, and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The organization serves the greater core area of the Mat-Su Valley.
Why We Exist
Federal law mandates the creation of an MPO for any urbanized area with a population exceeding 50,000. The Mat-Su Valley, which experienced a 20% population growth between 2010 and 2020—compared to Alaska’s 3.3%—is the fastest-growing region in the state. MVP ensures that federal transportation funds are directed toward local needs and priorities through a process that is comprehensive and cooperative.
Our Purpose
MVP’s mission is to support local transportation planning within the metropolitan area. This includes the development of long-term transportation plans, known as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and short-term capital spending plans, referred to as the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). MVP also plays a key role in engaging the public to identify transportation needs and gather community feedback. Ultimately, the organization ensures that federal transportation projects are the result of a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative planning process.
Staff & Structure
MVP for Transportation is led by Kim Sollien, who serves as the Executive Director, and Anjie Goulding, the Transportation Planning Manager. The organization is currently in the process of hiring for an Office Manager position to further support its operations.
MVP is governed by two key committees. The Policy Board is composed of locally elected and appointed officials from member organizations and meets monthly on the third Wednesday. The Technical Committee, which also meets monthly on the second Tuesday, provides additional guidance and expertise; further details about this committee can be found on the MVP committees page.