The Economy
Wasilla's expanding economy offers a wide range of employment and business development opportunities, particularly in the retail and services industries.
Retail Shopping outlets provide local employment opportunities to many local residents. Large retailers include Walmart, Fred Meyer, Carrs (Safeway), Sears and hardware giants Home Depot and Lowes. In the fall of 2008 Target opened their newly constructed store.
Wasilla's unique location has helped make it the retail and service center for an area, that extends far beyond its borders and beyond what would be expected from its population of 7,028. It is a central shopping area not only for residents and tourists, but also for Alaskans from remote communities and rural areas.
Wasilla is home to branches of several statewide banks as well as utility, real estate, insurance, and medical organizations. A growing number of automobile dealerships cater to local residents and compete successfully for Anchorage business.
Industrial activities that contribute to the economic base include steel fabrication, agriculture, manufacturing of concrete products and wood products, and distribution of building materials. Robust residential and commercial markets have kept the construction industry busy, making it a significant contributor to job growth.
Tourism and recreation services are important sources of income and revenue. Every year, thousands of visitors vacation in the area. Flight services and aircraft support are especially important—there are several hundred small, private aircraft in the area. Wasilla is the Home of the internationally known Iditarod trailSled Dog Race.