New Horizons.

• Author: Hunt, Barbara
• Position: New Horizons Telecom Inc. - 1995 New 49ers

Working out of Palmer, New Horizons has quietly expanded from its core business of building remote-site telecommunications facilities into a variety of technical and environmental services.

Tucked away in sleepy Palmer, around the corner from the sandwich shop, is a business quietly managing a $10 million annual portfolio. With a weekly payroll of $50,000 to $80,000 and 40 to 100 employees depending on the season, New Horizons Telecom Inc. is one of the largest private employers in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

The boxy New Horizons administrative office - a former discount furniture store off the main street - belies the breadth of the operation. A better indicator of New Horizons is across town, on nine acres of leased industrial land at the Palmer Municipal Airport.

Here, massive engineering facilities, warehouses and hangars sprawl over 24,000 square feet. This is where the company houses its fleet of single and multi-engine aircraft and specialized air-mobile construction equipment. Also located here is its 36,000-gallon fueling subsidiary, Hinchinbrook Aerofuel - recognized by regulators for its environmentally progressive construction and operation.

Well-known in telecommunications industry circles, New Horizons has built its Alaska reputation over the last 18 years by installing numerous large telecommunications systems in remote Bush sites. These systems provide a communications network for a variety of users, including local and long-distance telephone companies and government agencies.

Currently, New Horizons' largest project is a subcontract for Harris Corp. to install its systems across the state for the Alaska National Air Space Interfacility Communications System (ANICS). And in a contract with AAI/Systems Management Inc., New Horizons is installing automated surface observation systems for the National Weather Service. Both these projects include site preparation, surveying, computer drafting and engineering requirements in addition to installing equipment.

Innovative Alternatives

New Horizons' core business is the design and construction of telecommunication facilities. But according to company CEO John Lee, this is just the tip of the iceberg. He explains that through the 18 years of growth, New Horizons has expanded into many areas - each with a life of its own.

Geotechnical investigations, environmental services, differential global positioning system (DGPS) surveying, computer drafting and contract utility locating...