Economy

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

a state ferry

Alaska’s 20-year ferry plan nears completion

Alaska’s ferry system has been working on this extensive plan for the last two years.
a port

Port strikes end with deal on wages, averting economic disaster

The International Longshoremen's Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance have agreed to a 62% wage increase over six years.
People stand in line, inside, where a sign reads: Permanent Fund Dividend.

Here’s how 3 Alaskans are spending their PFD

The dividend landed in bank accounts across the state Oct. 3. The total amount includes a normal dividend of $1,403.83 plus a $298.17 energy relief payment.
bananas on a shelf

Why bananas may become one of the first casualties of the dockworkers strike

Hundreds of tons of bananas are stuck in transit — and they won't keep for long.
a refuge

Hilcorp again eyes Interior Alaska for oil exploration

Oil and gas company Hilcorp appears to be moving toward new oil and gas exploration work in Alaska’s Interior.
sign wavers

Juneau’s Ship Free Saturdays proposition sinking in preliminary election results

Initial returns also showed incumbent Mayor Beth Weldon leading challenger Angela Rodell, with voters favoring two other propositions.
a cruise ship

Haines to start charging cruise ship passenger tariff in 2025

The fee, which must legally be spent on improvements that benefit passengers, will start out at $9 per passenger in 2025.
a truck

Salcha man killed in collision with Manh Choh mine ore-hauling truck

Troopers say Temitayo Iyanu Kalejaiye, 43, died at the scene Monday after his sedan turned in front of the truck on the Richardson Highway.
a proposed mine site

Judge finds feds failed to consider full impact of Donlin Gold in environmental analysis

Judge Sharon Gleason found that regulators did violate the law in some aspects of their analysis, but denied some plaintiffs' claims.
salmon in water

Yukon River salmon runs remain low, but glimmers of improvement emerge

The fall run of chum salmon is the third lowest in a record that goes back to the 1970s. But there were some positive signs.
the Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court says most business insurance doesn’t cover COVID-19 damages

Alaska was the last state to decide whether common commercial insurer policies would cover harm businesses suffered in the COVID-19 pandemic.
a cruise ship

Why some Juneau residents want to ban cruise ships on Saturdays — and what’s at stake

Advocates say growing tourism needs to be reined in, but opponents say the financial and legal implications could hurt the economy.
a trawl vessel

Two Kodiak trawlers caught 2,000 king salmon. Now, a whole fishery is closed.

The incident is sure to draw more scrutiny on the issue of bycatch — the unintended harvest of fish by boats targeting other species.
several Alaska Airlines planes parked at airport gates

The Alaska-Hawaiian acquisition is complete. What does it mean for Alaskans?

The deal could have some benefits for travelers, but some worry that could come at the cost of jobs and service, especially in Hawaii.
a coal-fired plant with mountains in the background

Alaska natural gas crunch is increasing demand for a traditional fuel — coal

With cheap gas-fired power now unavailable, the biggest utility in Fairbanks has shelved plans to shut down one of its coal-fired plants.

Alaska’s ferry system receives $177M in federal funds

The funding will go towards operational costs, bringing Wi-Fi to passengers, and replacing the oldest ferry in the fleet.
cash in hands

In a major shift, the U.S. government explores giving renters cash, not vouchers

A key goal of cash is getting people housed faster.
a woman looking at a phone

OOTD from Alaska? Anchorage influencers describe challenges and opportunities

Alaska’s isolation makes it harder for content creators to make a living off their social media. But the state’s unique fashion and landscapes can help too.
a permanent fund seal in window

Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend for 2024 is $1,702

Residents who applied electronically for direct deposit of the dividend should start seeing it in their accounts on Oct. 3.
a house with a for sale sign

Here are 4 ways the Federal Reserve’s big rate cut could change the housing market

After months of anticipation, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday by half a percentage point.