Tag: Alaska Economic Report
For Anchorage businesses, going online pays off during COVID-19
"The number of web orders we’re receiving right now is at least ten times the volume we have received typically in the past," Janet Gregory, who owns Over the Rainbow Toys, said about their new online platform.
LISTEN: Alaska’s small businesses face financial winter as pandemic drags on
Jon Bittner, with the Alaska Small Business Development Center, says without a second round of relief money, businesses will continue to suffer.
After a summer of pandemic disruptions and poor salmon runs, Alaska fishermen await more federal relief money
Government relief money has helped fishermen, and the state is finalizing a plan for how to spend another $50 million in federal dollars for the industry.
Alaska is down thousands of oil and gas jobs, as the pandemic continues to squash demand
Data from the Alaska Department of Labor show an estimated 6,900 jobs in the state’s oil and gas industry in September. That’s down from 10,000 in January.
Experts say Alaskans’ willingness to mask up is key to rebuilding the economy
Until the virus is under control, experts say the state’s economy will continue to suffer.
How the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the first year of business for one Anchorage store
The owners say in this first year, they've sold enough shampoo and conditioner to keep nearly 700 plastic bottles out of the landfill, but their business looks a lot different than they thought it would, thanks to the pandemic.
As the pandemic drags on, unemployed Alaskans are still waiting for more help
A $300 dollar per week boost in unemployment payments still hasn't arrived, and economists say that without more cash from the federal government, the entire economy is at risk.
Alaska’s largest ski resort has a plan to operate during the pandemic. What will the slopes be like this year?
With a new operations plan in place, Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is set to get the lifts running again this winter.
Anchorage businesses owners look toward another season of pandemic-related challenges
The season is changing, and some businesses didn’t survive the summer. The ones that did are now preparing for the long winter ahead.
COVID-19 almost sank the Haines bookstore. A local author’s national fans saved sales
Kane opened in March, a week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down retailers for months.
LISTEN: What can history tell us about which Alaskans face the greatest barriers to employment?
Nationally, Black and Asian Americans are facing a much greater increase in the unemployment rate, compared to white Americans.
As the school year begins, Alaska school administrators worry low enrollment could impact state funding
Financially, there is a lot at stake. State funding of public schools is tied directly to enrollment.
As gyms adapt to operate during a pandemic, some are struggling to get users back inside
Gyms are adapting, but some still face financial strain as Alaskans opt out of indoor exercise.
Alaska had just emerged from recession when the pandemic hit. When will the state’s economy be back to pre-COVID levels?
“This is going to be a slow grind to get back to pre-pandemic levels."
LISTEN: There are billions of dollars at stake in the 2020 Census, but Alaska response rates are low
The census is about understanding the country’s population, but it’s also about money. There are billions of federal dollars at stake. Yet, less than half of Alaskans have responded so far, with the lowest self-response rate of any other state in the country.
Skagway’s economy depends on cruise tourism. With little money coming in, the city is paying millions of dollars to residents
In Skagway, the city is distributing a large portion of its federal CARES Act funding directly to residents. City officials hope this unique action will save the town.
LISTEN: Interest rates are low, but competition is high for home buyers in Alaska
Home prices have remained surprisingly high during the pandemic, which may be a result of fewer people moving out.
LISTEN: More women, young Alaskans, among unprecedented number of unemployment filings in April
Like many other things in the past few months, Alaska Department of Labor Economist Jenna Luhrs says unemployment numbers were unprecedented.
LISTEN: April’s job losses were huge — how long will they last?
But, unlike other periods of significant job loss in Alaska’s history, this one may be short lived.
Pandemic stirs greater demand for local meat and produce as Alaskans head into summer
"Farmers are selling everything they can get slaughtered right now," said Schade."