Alaska Economic Report

What to know about the Southcentral Alaska gas crunch

Demand from the state’s most populated region could outpace supply as soon as this winter.

Southeast Alaska dive fishermen are hit hard by sea otters

Dive fisherman are seeing the impact of sea otters up close.

Could Fireweed be the next Spenard? Anchorage economists and planners think so

There are a lot of vacant storefronts on Fireweed Lane. But experts say the area is ripe for redevelopment.

Giant pumpkins, crab legs and a water-skiing squirrel named Twiggy: Alaska State Fair celebrates 90 years

The Alaska State Fair predates statehood by more than two decades. It hasn’t always been in Palmer, either.

Interior Alaska braces for an uncertain winter as a key firewood supplier shuts down

The region's largest firewood supplier is closing, leaving thousands of customers scrambling before winter.

For many Alaskans, salmon dipnetting is about more than what’s caught

ipnetting on the Kenai River is worth a lot to Southcentral residents – several hundred dollars more to a household than what they actually spend on it each season.

Librarians worry broadband costs will skyrocket after federal review.

Alaska school leaders and public librarians are concerned about a potential cut at a time when districts are already struggling with budget deficits.

As demand for wildlife tourism grows, Kodiak businesses expand

The number of cruise ship guests coming to Kodiak is expected to increase by more than 25% this summer.

Twelve schools closed across Alaska this year. Officials say more closures are expected without major changes

Districts are expected to continue facing massive budget deficits in coming years.

Faced with surging power bills, the Haines landfill is going off-grid

If all goes to plan, the landfill will be running off a combination of solar, batteries and diesel by fall.

How many federal jobs has Alaska lost? A lot, according to new data

Alaska has one of the highest concentrations of federal workers in the country, and economists have been working to understand the magnitude of the federal job reductions

Where did Anchorage’s 24-hour restaurants go?

Along with worker shortages and rising costs, another factor is likely at play locally – Anchorage's aging population.

Western Alaskans brace for lingering high fuel prices

Many villages only get one or two fuel deliveries by barge each year, so high spring prices due to the war with Iran are mostly locked in, even after a tentative peace de

At Celebration market, earrings are big business with a deeper meaning

At Celebration in Juneau, some attendees saved up for years to buy earrings for themselves and loved ones.

Those working on the water are feeling the pinch as fuel prices surge

From fishermen to water taxi operators, high fuel prices are making waves ahead of a short summer season.

Alaska Small Business Development Center names new director

Jared Reynolds has an extensive background in the field, most recently as the executive director for the UA Center for Economic Development.

Businesses expand north with Ward Cove developments

In the works at Ward Cove is a zipline adventure park, set to open this summer, and a combination brewery, distillery and winery.

Anchorage's garage sale season is here, and some neighborhoods go all out

It’s just the beginning of the short garage sale season, and there will be several neighborhood-wide events.

Amid rising costs, Alaska struggles to attract the next generation of farmers

There are several economic hurdles that make it tough to attract young producers, but a few farmers in Alaska are dedicated to recruiting the next generation.

After a decade downtown, El Green Go’s food truck expands to a sit-down restaurant

Crystal and Tyler Howie say the lessons they learned and the customer base they built will make it easier to weather the current tough economy.