Economy & Business
RSSEconomy & Business in Alaska is the mix of government decisions, contracts, grants and private projects that shape the state's economy. It covers municipal budgets, infrastructure and airport planning, federal grants and contracts, employment trends, and energy development across Alaska.
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Fish and Game asks Board of Game to close Ambler Road corridor to hunting, trapping
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is asking the Alaska Board of Game to close a 2-mile-wide strip along the full 211-mile Ambler Road to all hunting and trapping from July 1, 2029, through Jan. 1, 2036, unless the board extends it. The board's agenda shows the board will deliberate on the proposal at a Nov. 20 web conference.
The board tabled an earlier version of the closure, one with no end date, by a 5-2 vote in Fairbanks on July 23, sending it to its meeting in Kotzebue. The department then put forward the version with 2029 to 2036 dates, and the board moved the decision up to the Nov. 20 web conference.
The strip runs one mile on each side of the road's centerline, from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District, and covers about 420 square miles. Hunters and trappers could cross it to reach open areas but could not hunt or trap inside it. In its comments on the proposal, the department said the closure would mean a loss of hunting and trapping opportunity for every species with an open season in the strip.
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NANA Regional Corporation $16.87 Per Share Distribution
NANA's fall payout works out to about $1,687 for an original shareholder
NANA's fall payout is $16.87 a share — about $1,687 for an original shareholder with 100 shares. Update your information by Nov. 6 to be paid on time.
EPA Virtual Public Hearing on Methane Rule for Gas Controllers
EPA proposes letting some gas compressor stations use a methane rule written for Alaska
The EPA would let existing gas compressor stations use a methane rule it wrote for off-grid Alaska sites for some controllers, instead of zero emissions.
Power Cost Equalization Rate Effective for Golovin
Regulators raise Golovin's power credit 17 cents a kilowatt-hour as fuel costs climb
Regulators raised Golovin's state power credit from 28 to 45 cents a kilowatt-hour after fuel costs climbed. Households now pay about 22 cents on covered power.
UAS Water Main Rehabilitation Bidder Questions Deadline
University of Alaska seeks bids to reline UAS Juneau campus water main
University of Alaska wants bids to reline nearly half a mile of UAS water main in Juneau by sliding new plastic pipe inside the existing iron. Bids due Nov. 25.
Public Comment Deadline: State Underground Storage Rights Claim
Kenai adds money for outside lawyers as it claims gas storage space under its airport
Kenai approved up to $30,000 for outside lawyers as it presses its claim to gas storage space under its airport, space the state wants to lease to ENSTAR.
Latest
Today
Alaska Airlines will add five nonstop routes from Seattle in 2027, including Guadalajara
Alaska Airlines adds 5 nonstop Seattle routes in 2027, including seasonal Guadalajara flights. • Des Moines, Jacksonville and Norfolk get first-ever nonstop Seattle links. • Part of Alaska's biggest Seattle summer launch yet, tickets on sale now.
by Melinda Communities.News54m ago1 min read
State closes Engineers Cutoff Road in Juneau for the winter, with reopening planned April 1
DOT closed Engineers Cutoff Road in Juneau near Dock Street for winter, with no detour listed. It's set to reopen April 1, 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews55m ago1 min read
State seeks Zero Lake road easement and flags possible shooting-range contamination
State forestry officials want a permanent public easement over 17 miles of Zero Lake logging roads near Houston, and flag possible contamination from an informal shooting range along the route.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1h ago2 min read
Fairbanks FAST Planning committee to start shaping 2027-2031 federal project list
FAST Planning's committee meets Nov. 18 to start picking Fairbanks and North Pole road and transit projects through 2031.
by Walter AlaskaNews1h ago2 min read
UIC splits spill and cleanup work into a new company led by Trevor Crosby
UIC Commercial Services spun off UIC Environmental Solutions for contaminated site cleanup and spill response, naming Trevor Crosby general manager.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1h ago2 min read
Whittier may let a man keep living in a shipping container through 2030
A Whittier man has lived in a shipping container on a commercial lot since 2020. On Monday, the city's planners decide if he can keep doing it through 2030.
by Walter AlaskaNews2h ago2 min read
Anchorage to pilot hospital-to-shelter referrals amid frostbite concerns
Anchorage will pilot a tool to refer hospital patients to shelters. A resident told the city he'd heard of frostbite patients discharged to the street.
by Walter AlaskaNews3h ago2 min read
The Kenai Senior Center's leaky canopy repair has grown to about $220,000
A leaky canopy at Kenai's senior center turned out to hide about 82 rotted joists. The fix now runs about $220,000, more than four times the original budget.
by Walter AlaskaNews3h ago2 min read
More from Economy & Business
Copper River Brewing seeks state OK to move down Cordova's First Street
Copper River Brewing plans a move down Cordova's First Street to a spot where plans show a kitchen and restaurant rooms. The state weighs in Tuesday.
by Walter AlaskaNews3h ago2 min read
Anchorage planners kept the Seward Highway rebuild after staff asked to pull it
Anchorage planners kept the $1.6 billion Seward Highway rebuild in their draft plan after their own staff asked to pull it over state numbers that didn't match.
by Walter AlaskaNews4h ago3 min read
Dillingham adopts a new long-range plan aimed at a 232-home housing need
Dillingham adopted a new 10- to 20-year plan. It targets a 232-home housing need, roads with two operators for 128 miles and harbor upgrades.
by Walter AlaskaNews4h ago2 min read
Anchorage road planners take up $34 million more for repairs and a twice-stalled map
Anchorage road planners vote Thursday on floating $34 million more for road repairs, a planning map that stalled twice and a study of traffic deaths.
by Walter AlaskaNews4h ago4 min read
Soldotna council takes up $961,000 grant to plan K-Beach Road signal and crossing
Soldotna is using a $961,000 federal grant to plan a traffic signal and pedestrian crossing at Arena Avenue and K-Beach Road, something the city has wanted for years.
by Walter AlaskaNews9h ago2 min read
Federal forecasters expect Alaska oil production to climb 13% next year
Alaska's oil production is growing instead of shrinking. Federal forecasters expect a 13% jump next year, to the most oil the state has pumped since 2014.
by Walter AlaskaNews11h ago2 min read
Kodiak mayor breaks council tie to advance sale of city lot for shops and apartments
Kodiak's council split 3-3 on selling a city lot for six shops and six apartments, so the mayor broke the tie. A final vote is still to come.
by Walter AlaskaNews12h ago2 min read
State email problems delay paperwork deadline in North Slope oil lease sales
State email problems bought bidders extra days to finish paperwork on their North Slope oil lease bids. The public still sees the bids Wednesday morning.
by Walter AlaskaNews12h ago2 min read
About Economy & Business
Economy and business in Alaska is the mix of government decisions, contracts, grants and private projects that shape the state's economy. It is the broad subject that holds narrower topics such as business, energy, oil and gas, mining, aviation and tourism.
Much of it runs through public bodies, with municipal assemblies approving contracts and planning decisions, state agencies leasing land and selling gravel and rock, and AIDEA lending to industry. Recurring questions concern infrastructure such as harbors, airports, roads and water and sewer lines, along with housing and zoning rules, energy supply, labor contracts, federal grants and military construction.
Its decisions reach every part of the state, from Anchorage and the Mat-Su to Kodiak, Cordova, Haines and the North Slope. Federal and military spending, resource development and Alaska Native corporation ventures all feed into the economy.
More from Economy & Business
Yesterday
Calista pays to extend local Typhoon Halong recovery jobs after state funding runs out
Calista's board is paying to keep Typhoon Halong recovery jobs going after state funding ran out, employing nearly 100 locals in storm-hit villages.
by Maggie AlaskaNews13h ago2 min read
Elfin Cove's state power credit set at 51.67 cents per kilowatt-hour
Elfin Cove's state power credit is now 51.67 cents per kWh, figured on $6.70-a-gallon fuel. The utility's records show more power sold than made.
by Walter AlaskaNews14h ago1 min read
Fairbanks economic panel could recommend changing its role in sister city ties
Fairbanks' economic development commission could recommend changing its role in the borough's sister city ties Nov. 20. UAF will also talk workforce needs.
by Melinda Communities.News14h ago2 min read
Houston's data center moratorium can't reach land the state gave AIDEA, officials say
Houston's data center pause stops at city limits. The 6,800 acres the state is giving AIDEA start about half a mile past them, the deputy mayor says.
by Walter AlaskaNews16h ago2 min read
Seward's Mount Marathon hydro plant is making power again after a rehab
Seward's little hydro plant at the foot of the Mount Marathon trail is making power again after a rehab. The city's throwing it a grand opening Wednesday.
by Walter AlaskaNews16h ago2 min read
Nome power bills face a bigger fuel surcharge as utility board presses for overdue audits
Nome's power bill fuel surcharge is likely to roughly double after the utility's biggest fuel bond yet. Its board, meanwhile, still wants a budget and audits.
by Walter AlaskaNews17h ago3 min read
Kenai Airport Commission recommends council adopt updated plan for 376 city parcels
Kenai Airport Commission backed the city's updated 2026 Land Management Plan covering 376 city parcels, many tied to the airport fund. City Council has final say.
by Walter AlaskaNews18h ago2 min read
Anchorage plans to use landfill gas to evaporate the liquid that seeps from its trash
Anchorage wants to burn gas from its rotting trash to evaporate the liquid that seeps out of it. The Assembly is asked to pay $98,010 for design advice.
by Walter AlaskaNews18h ago3 min read
Kodiak Assembly revisits a state funding list where most requests are for villages
Kodiak's Assembly took up its state funding list again. Most requests are for villages, including a Karluk water tank that stalled $894,993 short.
by Walter AlaskaNews18h ago3 min read
Kodiak asks state for $10 million to replace hospital's half-century-old boilers
Kodiak Island Borough asks the state for $10 million to replace aging hospital boilers and sterilizers before one fails. Frequent breakdowns already limit operating room use.
by Walter AlaskaNews18h ago2 min read
Kenai planners to weigh dropping park status from a lot that never became a park
Kenai's Ahlstrom Park has been a park on paper for over 20 years without ever becoming one. Planners vote Tuesday on whether to recommend dropping it.
by Walter AlaskaNews18h ago2 min read
Kenai planners weigh gravel pit dug below the water table off Beaver Loop Road
A gravel company wants to dig a pit off Kenai's Beaver Loop Road that could one day become a lake with room for houses. The commission takes it up Tuesday.
by Walter AlaskaNews18h ago2 min read
State plans to replace worn-out docking structures at Auke Bay ferry terminal
The state wants to replace rotting, corroded docking structures at Juneau's Auke Bay ferry terminal. Red king crab habitat already moved its dump site.
by Walter AlaskaNews19h ago2 min read
Cape Blossom Road near Kotzebue is closed while crews install a temporary bridge
Cape Blossom Road near Kotzebue is closed while Brice Construction installs a temporary bridge, with no reopening date given.
by Alaska News19h ago2 min read
Anchorage's water utility would cut its Eklutna hydro payments roughly in half
Anchorage's water utility would pay the Eklutna hydro owners about half as much under new deals, then could own water rights at the lake in 2055.
by Walter AlaskaNews1d ago2 min read
Alaska regulators plan to approve Northrim's merger with Oregon bank
Alaska's banking regulators plan to approve Northrim's merger with an Oregon bank, its first move outside Alaska. Public comments are due before Dec. 16.
by Alaska News1d ago1 min read
USDA moves to end a SNAP policy Alaska believes is helping its error rate
USDA wants to end a SNAP eligibility policy Alaska adopted last year. A state official believes it's helping cut the error rate that could cost Alaska $45M.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1d ago2 min read
Anchorage Assembly to hear plan giving Girdwood street crews their own storage yard
Girdwood's street crews have parked their gear on the same lot for nearly two decades. The Assembly takes testimony Tuesday on handing them control of it.
by Walter AlaskaNews1d ago2 min read
Wednesday, Nov 11
Greens Creek operator Hecla will cash out its preferred stock and may sell new shares
Hecla, which runs the Greens Creek silver mine near Juneau, will cash out up to $7.6 million in preferred stock and may sell up to 50 million new shares.
by Melinda Communities.News1d ago1 min read
Seward fish and chips restaurant seeks the city's first seasonal tourism liquor license
A Seward fish and chips spot wants a tourism license to pour beer and wine. Cruise traffic dropped 36%, but the math still rounds up to one license.
by Walter AlaskaNews1d ago2 min read
NOAA corrects pricing form for Fairbanks satellite station proposals due Nov. 19
NOAA fixed pricing form errors in its bid request to run the Fairbanks satellite station, proposals still due Nov. 19. Current operator has been paid $52.6 million so far.
by Melinda Communities.News1d ago1 min read
MEA board lets ENSTAR negotiate its gas supply for after Hilcorp contract ends in 2029
MEA's board will let ENSTAR find and negotiate the gas MEA needs after its Hilcorp deal ends in 2029. No word yet on what ENSTAR gets paid or who's selling.
by Walter AlaskaNews1d ago2 min read
White Spot Cafe's new owners ask the state for the diner's beer and wine license
The White Spot Cafe's new owners want its beer and wine license. The menu's rules still apply: know what you want, and there's no choice on toast.
by Walter AlaskaNews1d ago1 min read
Mat-Su Borough finishes upgrading two Butte roads off Bodenburg Loop
Two Butte roads off Bodenburg Loop, Knik View Drive and Knik View Circle, are upgraded and paved, the borough says. The estimate for moving gas lines grew.
by Alaska News2d ago1 min read
