Economy

A chart shows the change in employment by community between 2021 and 2022. (Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Southeast Alaska gets first ‘A’ in annual economic report

Study finds strong rebound in region’s jobs and wages continuing into 2023

 

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire A gas pump at Petro One gas station off Egan Drive shows prices on Friday that, at about $4.90 a gallon for regular unleaded, are lower than peaks earlier this year but still far above the national average. The price of Alaska North Slope crude oil dropped to $74.22 a barrel on Wednesday, far below the $87 the state needs to average to break even for the fiscal year, however, consumers have cause for good cheer as nationwide gas prices are now cheaper than a year ago, dropping about one-third from their $5 a gallon average.

Oil hits lowest price of ’22 a week before state budget is due

$74.22 a barrel far below $87 break-even price for FY23; governor mum on how drop may affect FY24

 

A man shops at a supermarket on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in New York. An inflation gauge that is closely tracked by the Federal Reserve, Friday, July 29, jumped 6.8% in June from a year ago, the biggest increase in four decades, and leaving Americans with no relief from surging costs. (AP Photo /Andres Kudacki)

Hints of cooling prices, but Fed vows firm inflation stance

The Fed appears ready to continue efforts to ensure prices are moving in the right direction

 

Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ships are returning to Juneau, will seasonal workers?

Businesses cite disruption, housing in challenging hiring market.

Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Study: PFD increases spending on kids among low-income families

More research needed.

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The entrance to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in the Tongass National Forest was covered in snow on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, a day after federal authorities announced the next step in restoring the 2001 Roadless Rule on the forest. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Feds put freeze on Roadless Rule rollback

On the Roadless Rule again.

The entrance to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in the Tongass National Forest was covered in snow on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, a day after federal authorities announced the next step in restoring the 2001 Roadless Rule on the forest. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The last cruise ship of the year, the Norwegian Encore, sails out of Juneau on Wednesday, Oct., 20, 2021, ending a cruise ship season that almost didn't happen. According to the Juneau's Docks and Harbor's department, the Encore brought more than 2,000 passengers Wednesday, far below an average year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Final cruise ship of 2021 leaves Juneau

A limited season winds down.

The last cruise ship of the year, the Norwegian Encore, sails out of Juneau on Wednesday, Oct., 20, 2021, ending a cruise ship season that almost didn't happen. According to the Juneau's Docks and Harbor's department, the Encore brought more than 2,000 passengers Wednesday, far below an average year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
pexels

Alaska’s minimum wage to remain unchanged in 2022

$1 more than the federal wage.

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A plane lands at Juneau International Airport on May 25, 2021, as the number of travelers in the state started to rise after the lockdowns of 2020. Travel numbers are not back up to their pre-pandemic levels, but they are increasing according to local travel authorities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

After steep decline, transportation numbers are slowly taking off again

Passengers are coming back by boat, plane and bus, but not yet at pre-pandemic numbers.

A plane lands at Juneau International Airport on May 25, 2021, as the number of travelers in the state started to rise after the lockdowns of 2020. Travel numbers are not back up to their pre-pandemic levels, but they are increasing according to local travel authorities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Chum salmon, like the kind seen here as a man examines the fish ladder at the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. hatchery on Channel Drive on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, have had lower returns this year according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, even as fisheries in Bristol Bay are breaking records. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Salmon returns set records in Bristol Bay while Southeast runs struggle

Prices are up all around.

Chum salmon, like the kind seen here as a man examines the fish ladder at the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. hatchery on Channel Drive on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, have had lower returns this year according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, even as fisheries in Bristol Bay are breaking records. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.

Forest Service set to approve Kensington expansion

Objections period is open.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.
Survey shows Southeast business owners at odds with Dunleavy budget

Survey shows Southeast business owners at odds with Dunleavy budget

The survey spans the region.

Survey shows Southeast business owners at odds with Dunleavy budget
Myrna Gardner, tribal partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, said Alaska’s low census response rate is costing the state millions every year during a presentation at Southeast Housing Summit, Thursday, March 14, 2019. *Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Low census response loses Alaska billions of dollars

Money left on the table.

Myrna Gardner, tribal partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, said Alaska’s low census response rate is costing the state millions every year during a presentation at Southeast Housing Summit, Thursday, March 14, 2019. *Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Job losses are personal. I should know.

Opinion: Job losses are personal. I should know.

I’m preparing to tell you something very personal and intensely painful.

Opinion: Job losses are personal. I should know.
Opinion: Taxes are the only way to boost Alaska’s economy

Opinion: Taxes are the only way to boost Alaska’s economy

The state needs a new revenue stream.

Opinion: Taxes are the only way to boost Alaska’s economy
Opinion: Pulp fiction won’t grow the economy

Opinion: Pulp fiction won’t grow the economy

It’s an elaborate cover on top of a cheap fantasy.

Opinion: Pulp fiction won’t grow the economy
Opinion: Build Alaska’s economy on the strengths of its university system

Opinion: Build Alaska’s economy on the strengths of its university system

A strong state requires a strong university.

Opinion: Build Alaska’s economy on the strengths of its university system
Opinion: Investment is the only way to achieve growth and stability

Opinion: Investment is the only way to achieve growth and stability

Cutting projects and jobs has never built a society.

Opinion: Investment is the only way to achieve growth and stability
Alaska Air Group plans to add 3,000 jobs this year

Alaska Air Group plans to add 3,000 jobs this year

Most of the openings will not require previous airline experience.

Alaska Air Group plans to add 3,000 jobs this year
Chuck Wimberly, President & CEO of Goldbelt Inc., speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Goldbelt officials “fairly confident” about $5.4 billion federal contract

The company would do work for the U.S. Army.

Chuck Wimberly, President & CEO of Goldbelt Inc., speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)