Economy

All Alaska economy and business news, including the Alaska Economic Report.

Seward Harbor

Cruise company backs Alaska Railroad’s plan to replace Seward dock

Royal Caribbean International has signed a 30-year agreement to use the proposed passenger dock, as bonds are being secured for the project.
(Sabine Poux/KDLL)

NOAA issues final ruling on Cook Inlet federal fishing waters

The federal decision comes after the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council was tasked with choosing a new management plan, but took no action.
A giant snowy mountain

Preparations underway for 2024 climbing season on Denali

More than 900 climbers have registered to attempt a summit of Denali this season, with 300 more registered for backcountry climbs.
Juneau

Ambitious 20-year plan for downtown Juneau heads to Assembly

Blueprint Downtown is an effort to lay the foundation for downtown Juneau’s future.
a ferry in the dark

State ferry Tustumena repairs delay Kodiak Island service

Ferry system director Craig Tornga says crews found extensive "wasted steel" suffering from rust aboard the 60-year-old ferry during a recent overhaul.
King Cove

King Cove braces for salmon season with no seafood processor amid historic price slump

Less than 2 months before salmon season, King Cove's seafood processor announced it will cease operations.
data servers

Net neutrality is back: U.S. promises fast, safe and reliable internet for all

The U.S. will reinstate Obama-era regulations for internet service providers that promise fast, reliable and fair internet speeds for all consumers.
a drift net

Feds approve disaster declaration for 2022 Kuskokwim salmon fisheries

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's disaster declaration covers the Kuskokwim River failure of chinook, chum and coho fisheries in 2022.
a dock

Haines residents could weigh in on divisive dock project

Mayor Tom Morphet said he wants an advisory vote to make sure “50 percent plus one of the community” is on board with how to rebuild the Lutak Dock.
Kodiak

Report portrays mixed picture of Alaska’s huge seafood industry

The report says the industry's economic value rose in 2021 and 2022, but employment is declining and recent price collapses are worrisome.
travelers

Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

The new Biden administration rules are meant to crack down on airlines that charge passengers steep fees to check bags and change flights.
Lina Khan

U.S. bans noncompete agreements for nearly all jobs

The FTC has voted to ban agreements that typically prevent workers from leaving their companies to join or start competing businesses.
President Biden

President Biden signs law to ban TikTok nationwide unless it is sold

The measure was included in a foreign aid package providing support to Ukraine and Israel. TikTok has vowed to challenge the law in federal court.
Amazon van driving

Amazon says its Anchorage sorting facility has cut delivery times in half

“That's going to continue to speed up and improve as we move towards that 100% operational state,” said a company spokeswoman.
solar panels

Soldotna solar installation set to go online this summer

The 600-panel array will be able to fully power the Whistle Hill business complex east of Soldotna when weather permits.
Danny and Orin Seybert

PenAir founder and Grumman Goose pilot Orin Seybert dies at 87

The founder of Peninsula Airways, Seybert was known for recognizing amphibious planes' ability to operate without runways in the Aleutian Islands.
a panel

Relocation of eroding Alaska Native village seen as a test case

The Newtok-to-Mertarvik transformation is the most advanced of several village relocation efforts prompted by climate change.
a gas station

Three Bears Alaska begins work on Delta Junction gas station, grocery store

The Delta Junction project is the Wasilla-based company’s 22nd location, all but one of them in Alaska.
a man

Popular superhero movies fuel lucrative hobby for Kodiak comic collectors

Fan Con, Kodiak's annual culture convention, offers a glimpse into decades-deep collections of comic books in the island community.

Biden administration blocks Ambler Road, strengthens protections for NPR-A

Both Alaska senators, Republicans Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, expressed outrage even before the decisions were formally announced.