Economy & Business
RSSAlaska News covers state economic issues including cannabis banking, state dividends, and business development opportunities.
One fuel supplier, no backup: Juneau pilots want an alternative
Juneau's airport has one aviation-gas supplier, a markup pilots peg near 33%, and no backup. So 50+ pilots want a fuel farm — and dispute a plan claiming there's no problem.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
For a roadless village, an airport lease is really about the lifeline
For roadless Chefornak, the airport is the only way in or out — so a routine state lease keeping the FAA's weather and navigation gear running matters more than it sounds.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
King Cove finally gets its road, and the lawsuits are still coming
King Cove's long-fought road to the Cold Bay airport has its final federal permit, with construction due in 30 days. Three lawsuits over the refuge land swap are still pending.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Anchorage wetlands plan gets first update in over a decade as federal rules shift
Anchorage's wetlands permit rules changed in 2021 when federal oversight shifted, and the city's 2014 management plan is finally getting its first update to reflect that reality.
by Alaska News2mo ago2 min readAI
A tribal housing authority wants to build 40 affordable homes on wetlands
A tribal housing authority wants to build 40 affordable homes in Southeast — but first it has to fill 4 acres of wetlands, and the state review of that just opened for comment.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission to weigh shop-house and self-storage ordinances
Anchorage's Planning and Zoning Commission will vote on making homes easier to build in commercial zones while restricting large parking lots and self-storage facilities.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Mat-Su power bills climb as Alaska's energy squeeze bites
Mat-Su electric bills are rising about $14.53 a month — driven by a cold spring, low hydro, and new Hilcorp gas-storage fees, a snapshot of Southcentral's tight energy supply.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Justice Department concedes Biden-era Arctic Refuge leasing program violated the law
The Justice Department conceded Alaska was right that the 2024 Arctic Refuge leasing program violated federal law by capping development below what Congress allowed.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Gavora Mall, two other Fairbanks properties seek grandfather rights at July 16 hearing
Gavora Mall and two other Fairbanks properties will seek grandfather rights on July 16, allowing uses built before current zoning rules to continue without permits.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
State agency warns Girdwood Parks Plan shows unauthorized trails on airport land
Alaska DOT&PF told Anchorage the Girdwood Parks Master Plan maps four trail segments across state airport property without permission, risking public access conflicts with aviation uses.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska's investment arm hands its director more power over public money
AIDEA gave its director a standing $4.5M fund and the power to pick which projects get vetted with public money — faster, but with less board and public visibility.
by Melinda Communities.News2mo ago2 min readAI
Trump declares Iran ceasefire over after U.S. strikes on Iranian targets
Trump declared a ceasefire with Iran over after U.S. strikes on Iranian targets overnight, saying he no longer wants to negotiate with the country.
by Alaska News2mo ago2 min readAI
Kenai council funds $110K roof shortfall, sets Oct. 31 deadline for Senior Center and shelter work
Kenai City Council approved $110,000 Tuesday to fix roofs at the senior center and animal shelter by Oct. 31 after a bid came in higher than expected.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Petersburg's cell tower rules advance, flaws and all
Petersburg advanced new cell-tower rules 5-0 — but a vice mayor called the 15-amendment process "deeply flawed," and residents are fighting cuts to safety setbacks.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Four ferries in the shop make for a lean Alaska winter
Four Alaska ferries will be down for repairs this winter — one for five months after crews found corroded steel — thinning service for roadless towns that depend on it.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Anchorage won $191 million for the port that feeds Alaska
Anchorage won a record $191M from the federal government, all of it going to rebuild the port that brings in 90% of Alaska's food and fuel — and to keep those costs off Alaskans' bills.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Tessera hiring event comes to Mat-Su Job Center July 29
Tessera is hiring veterans, military spouses, and people with disabilities at the Mat-Su Job Center on July 29 for facility management, manufacturing, and warehousing roles.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
USDA expands disaster pay for Alaska fish farms, livestock, and beekeepers
Fish farms now qualify for federal disaster pay covering bird predation losses at $600 per acre. • Livestock owners get full market value for animals killed by protected predators, up from 75%. • Beekeepers and tree growers also see expanded coverage under USDA policy changes effective Wednesday.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min readAI
Wasilla moves to reject a 59-unit affordable housing project
Wasilla is set to formally deny a 59-unit affordable housing project — a clash between a real housing shortage and neighbors who want the site to stay commercial.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
The company behind Fort Knox is prospecting for gold near Delta Junction
The Kinross subsidiary that runs Fort Knox, Alaska's biggest gold mine, wants to drill for a new deposit near Delta Junction, in a salmon-bearing river drainage. It's exploration, not a mine yet.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Rural Alaska contract workers lost a federal wage floor; the state stepped in
Rural Alaska's federal contract workers lost their $17.75 floor last year. What's saving their paychecks now? Alaska's own $14 minimum wage.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
Noatak Airport relocation triggers water quality review as river erodes toward runway
River erosion is forcing Noatak to relocate its airport, and the Army Corps of Engineers opened a water quality review that must clear before construction can start on a new site 1.5 miles west.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
State opens bids for Chenega Bay airport maintenance contract
Alaska is seeking a new maintenance contractor for Chenega Bay Rural Airport in Prince William Sound, with bids due July 16 and award expected by July 28.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska doubles bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5 million for rural communities
Alaska doubled the bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5 million for rural communities starting July 3, helping villages and fuel retailers cover winter heating oil purchases before customer payments arrive.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Northern Region roads return to full summer loads Friday
Alaska lifts spring weight limits on most Northern Region roads Friday, July 10, letting commercial haulers return to full legal loads, except Tofty Road into Tanana stays capped at 75 percent.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Deadhorse Airport paving set for mid-July after holiday pause
Deadhorse Airport paving is set for mid-July as crews work through the Arctic construction season to fix aging pavement and drainage that support North Slope oil and gas operations.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Homer sets policy framework for future water and sewer rate changes
Homer City Council adopted a policy framework Tuesday that will guide future water and sewer rate increases, though no specific rate changes take effect yet.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Federal settlement sends $180 million to Port of Alaska modernization
Federal settlement sends $180 million to the Port of Alaska's $2.7 billion modernization program, reducing pressure for tariff increases that could raise fuel and grocery prices statewide.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Kenai Peninsula planners to weigh road and bridge over salmon creek in Anchor Point
Kenai Peninsula Borough planners will decide July 20 whether to allow a road and bridge over an anadromous creek in Anchor Point, a project that requires a conditional use permit under borough code.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
A pipeline wants to more than double its rates, and Alaska has a stake
A North Slope pipeline company wants to more than double its gas-shipping rates — and since Alaska takes a cut of that gas's value, the hike could dent state revenue too. Comment by July 21.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
Rockslide blocks both lanes of North Tongass Hwy near Ward Cove
A rockslide blocked both lanes of North Tongass Highway near Ward Cove on Tuesday morning, cutting the only paved road connecting North Tongass communities to Ketchikan.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Kodiak Borough set to rezone Ouzinkie parcel for tsunami shelter and government offices
Kodiak Borough will vote July 16 on rezoning an Ouzinkie parcel to allow a tsunami shelter and government offices in the island village.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Fairbanks staff flag spot-zone risk ahead of Geist Road rezone vote
Fairbanks planning staff recommend denying a rezone of two Geist Road lots from mixed commercial to all General Commercial. • Staff warn the change would remove the only zoning buffer between intensive commercial uses and a residential neighborhood. • A worst-case General Commercial use like a drive-through could generate 1,500 weekday trips versus 25 for the current medical offices. • The Planning Commission votes Tuesday, July 14, at 6 p.m.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Tomodachi Daiko's Power of Drums concert lists $32 tickets despite early-bird label
Tomodachi Daiko's Power of Drums concert on Aug. 1 in Anchorage lists $32 tickets as an early-bird price that expired June 15, but at least one buyer paid that same price after the deadline.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Anchorage P&Z recommends rezoning 7.9 acres of port land to parks
Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission voted Monday to recommend rezoning 7.9 acres of port land from industrial to parks, clearing the way for the Assembly to make the final decision.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Doyon Utilities seeks rate hikes up to 51% at 3 Alaska military bases; comment deadline July 21
Doyon Utilities is seeking permanent rate increases up to 51 percent for water, power, and heat at Fort Richardson, Fort Greely, and Fort Wainwright, with a public comment deadline of July 21.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min readAI
Helicopter sinks in Chelatna Lake; bystander pulls both survivors from water
A helicopter sank in Chelatna Lake near Skwentna on Sunday after a boater pulled both occupants from the water; both survived with minor injuries.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board schedules July 24 public meeting
Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board meets July 24, 2026. Full agenda and public comment details will post in the state notice system.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Anchorage Assembly to vote on $500K shelter contract increase as earlier amendments used Title 7 waivers
Anchorage Assembly votes Tuesday on a $500,000 shelter contract increase, bringing the total to nearly $4.93 million.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Bethel hauled water and sewer deliveries shift early for Independence Day
Bethel shifted hauled water and sewer deliveries one day early Saturday to beat the Independence Day holiday, affecting all three service routes.
by Alaska Newsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
