UIC just crossed $1 billion in revenue — a milestone almost no village corp reaches

Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation crossed $1 billion in annual revenue in 2025 — the first time in the village corporation's 53 years, and a milestone almost no other Alaska Native village corporation has reached. Most village corporations operate at a much smaller scale.

The corporation's revenue comes primarily from federal contracting, construction, logistics, research, and commercial work — much of it outside Alaska. UIC now employs more than 4,400 people across those sectors, serves more than 4,200 Iñupiat shareholders and their descendants, and is one of the largest village corporations in Alaska by revenue and workforce.

For Utqiaġvik specifically, the milestone shows up in several ways. The UIC Board approved 2026 trust distributions, scholarships, and shareholder hire programs. UIC opened enrollment for second-generation descendants in 2025, so more Iñupiat family members can become shareholders. New banking services are coming to the Stuaqpak building this June, a real change in a town with limited banking.

The corporation is also now Utqiaġvik's grocery operator at the Stuaqpak location. The previous grocery there — a Stuaqpak operation co-founded by former U.S. Senator Mark Begich and investor partners — closed in January 2025. UIC, which owns the building, opened its own grocery operation in the same space. UIC went from collecting rent from the previous operator to operating the grocery directly, giving the corporation both landlord economics and operator margins on a major Utqiaġvik grocery. Utqiaġvik also has an Alaska Commercial Company store on the east side of town, which continues to operate.

"This milestone reflects the resilience of our people and the strength of our strategy. We have grown with purpose, keeping our Iñupiat shareholders at the center of every decision. Reaching $1 billion in revenue strengthens our ability to invest in our communities, expand opportunities for our shareholders, and carry our values forward in meaningful ways," said Dr. Pearl K. Brower, UIC President and CEO.

UIC held its 53rd Annual Meeting on June 6 at Fred Ipalook Elementary School and online via Zoom, under the theme "One Billion Strong."