Alaskan Resources 2025

ALASKAN RESOURCES 2025

Updates on:

• Construction

• Mining

• Oil and Gas

• Tourism

• And more

Publisher: Ryan Binkley

VP, Revenue and Audience Development: Kea Cuaresma

Special Projects Director: Brandi Nelson

Section Editor: Nina Wladkowski

Sales:

Ryan Estrada, Jada Nowling, Joleesa Stepetin

Advertising Operations: Lisa McGuire

This special publication was produced by the advertising departments of Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Journal of Commerce, in partnership with the industry leaders represented within. The Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Journal of Commerce newsrooms were not involved in its production.

Main cover photo: Nuna first oil in December 2024; photo provided by Alaska Oil & Gas Association

Smaller cover photos, left to right:

Photo provided by The Alaska Support Industry Alliance; photo by Heather Sottosanti, North Star Equipment Services

Photo provided by The Alaska Support Industry Alliance; photo by Danny Ungrue, ASRC Energy Services

Kayaking in Skagway; photo provided by Alaska Travel Industry Association

Photo provided by Resource Development Council for Alaska

Seafood benefits all of Alaska.

We are investing in a shared vision of our future that sustains people, economies, and healthy ecosystems for generations

I am a conservationist. I am a hunter.

I am mining.

Alaska, to me, is the pinnacle of hunting and fishing and the outdoor world, so we moved here from Upstate New York specifically because we wanted to live in Alaska. I am the environmental superintendent at Manh Choh, and I take that to heart because we are operating on land owned by the Tetlin people.

I’ve seen Manh Choh all the way through baseline and permitting and now operations, and I hope to see it all the way through until mining has ended and we can return the land to its natural state.

Mining in Alaska: A Responsible Path to Economic Growth and Environmental Stewardship

PRESENTED BY ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION

Alaska is known for its stunning scenery, wildlife, rich cultural heritage, as well as vast and untapped natural resources. Among the many industries that have helped shape the state, mining stands out as a pillar of both history and opportunity. Mining in Alaska continues to play a crucial role — not only as a driver of economic development but also as a strong example of environmental responsibility and community partnership.

Since the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1800s, prospectors have been drawn to Alaska’s vast mineral resources. While gold was the first major attraction, Alaska’s underground wealth includes zinc, silver, lead, copper, coal, graphite, cobalt, molybdenum, germanium and many more minerals critical to modern technology.

Today, Alaska is home to some of the most productive and technologically advanced mining operations in the United States. Mines like Red Dog, one of the world’s largest producers of zinc, and Greens Creek, the nation’s top silver producer, are examples of how Alaska’s mineral resources continue to support a thriving industry.

Contrary to some assumptions, modern mining in Alaska operates under some of the strictest environmental standards in the world. State and federal regulations, combined with advances in technology, ensure that today’s mines are designed with environmental protection and sustainability in mind.

Alaska’s mines operate with comprehensive environmental monitoring programs that track air and water quality, wildlife and ecosystem health in the surrounding area. A large mine operating in Alaska will apply for, and if approved, maintain dozens of permits that are continuously reviewed and evaluated by regulatory agencies. The reclamation plan — the process of returning mined land to a natural or usable state — must be approved by the State of Alaska prior to constructing the mine, and financial assurance is required to ensure that reclamation will be performed in the event the mining company cannot.

In addition, Alaska mining companies are increasingly investing in restoration of surrounding areas. Areas disturbed by historic activity, or even by mother nature are reshaped, secured, reseeded with native plants and monitored for years to ensure long-term environmental health.

Mining is done with care for the land, and it is essential for people. The industry provides thousands of well-paying jobs for Alaskans, many of whom live in remote or rural areas where other economic opportunities are limited. Alaska’s mining industry supports nearly 12,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state.

Mining also contributes significantly to state and local

economies through taxes, fees and royalties. In 2023 alone, the industry paid $186 million in state and local taxes — helping fund public services like education, public safety and infrastructure.

Mining companies work closely with Alaska Native corporations to develop long-term partnerships that benefit both the land and its people. Shareholder and community resident hire is a priority, therefore, the industry invests extensively in education and training. It is not uncommon to see three generations of Alaskans working at a large mine. In addition to direct jobs at the mines, mining companies often partner with corporations to establish joint venture businesses that service the mines, further extending the economic and community benefits from a mine.

Alaska’s mining industry is becoming more important than ever. Abundant, affordable and clean Alaska coal is critical to the energy-intensive technologies being invented to maintain and manage data. Alaska holds significant reserves of most of the minerals society needs, positioning the state as a strategic player in the domestic supply chain. With a reputation of operational excellence, Alaska has the opportunity to meet this growing demand while continuing to uphold high standards.

For years, mining in Alaska has proven that natural resource development and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. Through innovation, accountability and deep respect for the land and its people, the industry is a key player in a prosperous future for the state. By continuing to support responsible mining, Alaskans can ensure that the state’s rich resources create lasting benefits — for the economy, for the environment and for generations to come.

Reawakening the Slope: How Stability Sparked Alaska’s Oil Renaissance

PRESENTED BY ALASKA OIL & GAS ASSOCIATION

Adecade ago, after years of declining oil production and dwindling capital investment, Alaska’s once-booming energy basin had settled into a slump. Rig counts were low, new exploration was rare and many wondered whether the state’s days as a competitive oil province were coming to an end. Fortunately, Alaskans and policy makers began to notice and demand action.

In 2013, Alaska’s leaders took a hard look at the state’s oil tax structure and made a decision to change it. The goal was simple but ambitious: create a stable, competitive fiscal environment that could attract new investment and encourage long-term development.

Today, Alaska is experiencing what many are calling a North Slope “renaissance.” All three of the slope’s major operators — Hilcorp, ConocoPhillips and, new to the scene, greenfield operator Santos — are investing heavily and simultaneously in large-scale developments that will reshape the state’s energy future.

Not just talk

The work and investment currently happening are to the tune of $10.7 billion in 2024 alone.

ConocoPhillips’ Willow project is the largest North Slope initiative in decades. Located within 385 acres, less than 0.002%, of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, the field is expected to produce up to 180,000 barrels per day at peak. Construction is well underway, with first oil targeted for 2029. The project is designed with long-term production and environmental safeguards in mind, including elevated pipelines, caribou crossings and a commitment to protect subsistence hunting and fishing areas for residents. Willow is expected to generate between $8 billion and $17 billion in revenue shared between the federal government, the State of Alaska and the North Slope Borough.

In 2024, ConocoPhillips brought first oil online at its Nuna project in the Greater Kuparuk Area — the first new drill site developed in the region in nearly a decade. The project includes 29 development wells, on-pad infrastructure and pipelines tied into existing facilities. Nuna is projected to deliver about 20,000 barrels per day at peak production.

Meanwhile, on state leases near Nuiqsut, Santos and its partner Repsol are advancing on the Pikka project. The development brings new investors, a new part of the slope into production and new ideas, partnerships and operators to Alaska. Eighteen of 26 startup wells have been drilled, and 120 miles of pipeline have been laid. First oil is expected by mid-2026, with production anticipated to reach up to 80,000 barrels per day in Phase 1.

In addition to increasing production from the Slope, Santos has positioned Pikka as a model for modern, lower-emissions

development. Phase 1 is expected to be Alaska’s first net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions oil projects at startup, using electrified operations and carbon offset partnerships with Alaska Native corporations.

In a recent report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration credited Pikka with helping slow the long-term decline of throughput in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, signaling its growing role in Alaska’s evolving energy story.

Revitalization of legacy assets

After acquiring BP’s Alaska operations in 2020, Hilcorp has quietly executed a broad development program across multiple fields, often in areas others had written off.

At Milne Point, Hilcorp brought the new Raven Pad online in 2023, an investment of several hundred million dollars that added thousands of barrels of oil per day into the pipeline. At Prudhoe Bay, Hilcorp is advancing Project Taiga, a long-term plan that includes more than $1 billion in new investment through 2030. Following its acquisition of ENI’s North Slope assets, Hilcorp is preparing for a ten-well campaign at Nikaitchuq, scheduled for 2026-2027. At Point Thomson, Hilcorp plans a $181 million drilling program from 2025-2026.

Hilcorp’s activity sends a clear message: with the right approach and reasonable economic conditions, much oil remains to be produced.

Outside drilling rigs and gravel pads

Oil and gas companies spent $10.7 billion in Alaska in 2024. Of that, $5.8 billion went to more than 1,000 Alaska-based vendors. This spending strengthens supply chains and keeps businesses across the state working and staffed year-round. Looking ahead, capital investment is projected to exceed $22 billion between 2025 and 2030, driven by projects like Pikka and Willow as well as new development on existing fields.

Across the slope, companies are moving dirt, hiring workers and recommitting to Alaska’s oil and gas future. For the first time in a generation, the North Slope is not only producing oil, but also optimism.

Alaska tourism is a state resource with room to grow

PRESENTED BY JILLIAN SIMPSON, PRESIDENT/CEO, ALASKA TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Recent updates from Alaska’s tourism operators have painted a “mixed bag” of results, hinting at possible slowdowns ahead. This is a timely reminder of just how essential tourism is to our state. It’s a renewable economic resource that supports thousands of Alaskans’ livelihoods — and one whose strength can shift quickly as the economy changes. Tourism consistently drives billions of dollars into our state and local economies. What we see as “mixed” results today could quickly become significant, with greater impacts likely to be felt more acutely in 2026, as results from reduced marketing and greater global competition emerge.

One thing is certain: Alaska’s superlatives are unmatched and accurate. Every year, millions of visitors come to witness our majestic glaciers, abundant wildlife, vibrant cultures and the mesmerizing dance of the northern lights. What people may not realize is that this natural appeal doesn’t just inspire awe — it fuels our economy. Unlike finite resources, Alaska’s landscapes and experiences renew their value year after year, bringing in new — and return — spending and creating fresh opportunities every season.

But tourism dollars don’t show up in government accounts automatically. First they must be earned. Last year alone, travel and tourism generated $5.6 billion in economic output, including $3.9 billion in direct visitor spending in Alaska. This impact isn’t confined to big companies — it’s the family-run lodges, the local restaurants, the independent guides and the artisans who make Alaska special. Tourism is a resource that spreads wealth through our communities.

The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) tirelessly works to ensure Alaska remains a top-of-mind destination in a fiercely competitive global market. The “Tourism Works for Alaska” initiative highlights the tangible benefits tourism brings to every corner of our state. These aren’t just statistics; they represent the real-world impact of a healthy tourism sector, reinforcing its status as a core state asset and resource.

Just as we welcome travelers from around the world, Alaskans themselves should get out and explore their own backyard. Whether it’s a weekend in a nearby community, a visit to a state or national park you’ve never seen, or an overnight stay at a family-run lodge, traveling within Alaska not only supports local businesses but also reminds us why our state is so great. It’s the dedicated people behind every experience — guides, hosts, servers, pilots — who bring Alaska’s hospitality to life and make these experiences so memorable.

While Alaska has welcomed more than three million

visitors in recent years — and spending has continued to grow — success today doesn’t guarantee success tomorrow. Alaska’s tourism industry is a resource whose economic momentum has been built over years of strategic marketing. Without sustained investment, the positive trajectory we’ve enjoyed may very well flatten or reverse, demonstrating how quickly a thriving resource can lose ground if it’s under-resourced.

We have yet to see the full consequence of reduced marketing efforts. For a “long-haul destination” like Alaska, the most significant effects — like fewer bookings or less spending — may not show up until a year or more.

The Alaska tourism industry is much more than a showcase of Alaska’s natural wonders. It’s a dynamic, living system that builds strong communities, supports tens of thousands of jobs and generates revenue essential to Alaska’s future. It has proven its worth time and again. ATIA remains committed to demonstrating how tourism works for Alaska — and why it deserves continued investment and broad support.

Tourism isn’t just another sector. It’s a foundational state resource — renewable, sustainable and worthy of the stewardship it needs to thrive for generations to come.

The Cyber Threat and How You Can Prepare

PRESENTED BY MIKE MASON, VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER AND SENIOR INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGER, FIRST NATIONAL BANK ALASKA

Establishing proactive cybersecurity strategies and protocols to protect your business has never been more critical. The impact of cybersecurity threats on organizations across all industries is significant, affecting operations, employees and customers.

Threats to organizations can take many forms. Business decisions to enhance security measures must be made well ahead of any actual attack or event. Organizations should adapt processes and procedures, train staff to improve security awareness and dedicate efforts to ensure cyber resilience.

Cybercrime economy: Everything is for sale

During the past two decades, cybercriminals have developed a global cybercrime economy that has expanded in size and sophistication. They now offer specialized services to one another within a thriving marketplace, acting as both buyers and sellers, as well as service providers. The dark web and cryptocurrencies play a significant role in hiding criminal activities and consolidating their ill-gotten gains.

Risks to watch for

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) received reports of more than $50 billion in losses due to cyber-enabled fraud from 2020 to 2024. In 2024 alone, losses reached a peak of $13.7 billion. Additionally, the number of ransomware attacks and data breaches continues to increase each year, affecting large groups of people beyond the targeted organizations, as their data is exposed.

Common cyber risks

• Artificial intelligence (AI) — Employees using AI in ways that can expose data or incur professional liability. Criminals can leverage AI to commit sophisticated fraud on a large scale.

• Untrained employees — Employees falling victim to fraud schemes such as business email compromise or social engineering lures designed to steal their login credentials.

• Missing patches — Operating systems, software and network devices in need of security updates.

• Security misconfigurations — Vendors often include default insecure configurations in operating systems and products, which directly lead to data breaches and ransomware.

• Zero-day exploits — Software flaws without a vendorprovided patch available to address them.

Protect your business and your customers

Securing your business may seem overwhelming, but there are resources available to help businesses and organizations of all sizes establish a robust cybersecurity program. The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Cybersecurity

Infrastructure Security Agency and National Cybersecurity Alliance each offer free resources.

To protect against cyber threats, take proactive steps to assess the risks facing your business and implement appropriate measures to reduce the risk of fraudulent activity:

1. Identify what cyber risks pose the greatest threat to your business.

2. Implement cybersecurity measures to mitigate those risks.

3. Train employees to recognize fraud schemes and follow established procedures to prevent them.

4. Educate employees and evaluate their security awareness. Consider conducting phishing assessment email tests to identify gaps in their knowledge and provide additional training as necessary.

Mitigate cyber risk

Every organization should consider establishing a formal process that aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF 2.0) which breaks down cybersecurity into six core functions:

1. Govern — Establish, communicate and monitor your organization’s cybersecurity risk management strategy, expectations and policy.

2. Identify — Understand your organization’s current cybersecurity risks.

3. Protect — Establish safeguards to manage the organization’s cybersecurity risks.

4. Detect — Find and analyze possible cybersecurity attacks and compromises.

5. Respond — Take action when a detected cybersecurity incident occurs.

6. Recover — Restore assets and operations affected by a cybersecurity incident.

When evaluating how your processes map to your organization’s framework, look for gaps where formal procedures or technical enhancements can provide added resiliency.

Establish a process

Cybersecurity is an ongoing process that is cyclical; there is no product to buy, no talented employee, no magic to guarantee cybersecurity. By consistently repeating the process in a cycle of continuous improvement, cybersecurity practitioners can ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the systems and data they protect to the extent that management has determined is reasonable for the organization.

The investments your organization make today to integrate a cybersecurity program into its security culture will yield dividends when faced with an incident. Remember — It’s not a matter of if you or your organization will face a cyber threat, but when.

Nothing Is More Important to Alaskans Than Fish

PRESENTED BY JULIE DECKER, PRESIDENT, PACIFIC SEAFOOD PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION

In Alaska, fish are far more than just a natural resource — they are sustenance, culture, identity, tradition, currency and connection. From the stormy Bering Sea, to the mighty rivers of the interior, to the roaring tides of Cook Inlet, to the islands of Southeast, fish are woven into the fabric of life for Alaskans in ways that are both obvious and obscure.

While the cultural and culinary importance of Alaska seafood is well-known, its broader role in food security, statewide economics, global trade, cost of living and community resilience is less often explored. These dimensions make fish a foundational resource.

Fish feed Alaskans

Fish are food security for Alaskans. With over 90% of Alaska’s communities off the road system, access to affordable, healthy food is a persistent challenge. In many rural and Alaska Native communities, subsistence fishing is part of a long history. These practices are not just functional, they’re cultural. Indigenous peoples have been fishing the same rivers and coasts for millennia. Knowledge of fish runs, preservation techniques such as drying, smoking, canning and freezing, and respectful harvesting are passed down through generations. In urban areas, fishing for personal use brings families together, connects Alaskans with their food and environment, and can make up a big part of a family’s annual protein source. Filling the freezer or smokehouse is well understood all over Alaska.

An economic engine

Alaska’s seafood sector is the state’s largest private-sector employer, largest manufacturer and one of the pillars of the state’s economy. Each year, Alaska produces over 5 billion pounds of seafood, harvested by over 20,000 commercial fishermen in over 8,000 vessels, generating $6 billion in economic activity in Alaska and directly employing 48,000 people.

Fishermen, processing plant workers, net menders, dock crews, shipbuilders and export companies all rely on fish. Even support businesses — such as store owners, mechanics, airlines and barge companies — depend on fish to keep business flowing.

Global significance = Local benefits

Alaska seafood represents 60% of all U.S. seafood — more than all the other states combined! This bountiful resource is exported to more than 100 countries, with major markets in Europe, Japan, Korea, Canada, and China, as well as the domestic market. If Alaska were a country, it would rank in the top 10 for seafood exporters. In fact, seafood is Alaska’s top export, bringing new dollars to circulate inside the state, and supporting the state’s economic significance on the global stage.

Alaska salmon, pollock, Pacific cod, rockfish, crab, halibut and black cod grace menus and dinner tables around the world. This global demand is necessary for premium wild Alaska seafood and keeps thousands of Alaskans employed. Global trade of Alaska seafood also provides over $160 million each year in revenues to the federal, state and local governments, funding schools, ports, roads and other local services, as well as management of our fisheries, including sport and subsistence.

Community resilience

In the past, people built communities on Alaska’s coasts or rivers because of fish and transportation. As populations and trade routes grew, seafood processing facilities were also built in these communities, providing nearby commercial fishermen a place to sell their fish. This interdependence between communities, processors and fishermen is like a three-legged stool — often, the health of one is reflective of the health of the other two. Today, this is true for the 140 communities in Alaska with seafood processing facilities, and has been brutally felt in King Cove and St. Paul. Each community’s only processing facility was closed for multiple years, reducing local revenues and jobs and causing drastic effects on schools and families’ ability to continue living there. All three legs of the stool and diversity of fisheries are both vitally important for community resilience and survival.

We celebrate seafood

Thanks to Alaska’s constitutional mandate and federal law, fish resources are managed to last for generations, so future Alaskans can continue to work, eat and thrive because of fish. They nourish bodies, build economies, reduce costs, bond families and sustain entire communities. From commercial vessels in the wind-swept Aleutian Islands to families with setnets in Yakutat, fish are central to who Alaskans are and how they live. As Alaskans, we celebrate seafood.

Providence Alaska: Investing in our own to strengthen health care, address workforce challenges in Alaska

PRESENTED BY PROVIDENCE ALASKA

With more than 4,500 employees working across six communities, Providence Alaska is the state’s largest private employer. As Providence Alaska’s chief Human Resources officer, Florian Borowski works to ensure the organization is well-staffed to care for its patients.

The Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development forecasts the health care industry to grow nearly twice as much as other sectors. “Within the next decade,” Borowski said, “Providence must develop and hire more staff to meet demand, and that means doing more to build talent from within Alaska.”

Today, Providence invests heavily in workforce development programs that encourage Alaskans to consider careers in health care, through school-business partnerships to tuition assistance, to working with the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and branching out to rural communities to grow local medical professionals.

Tuition assistance

One such program exists within Providence Alaska Medical Center’s (PAMC) EKG-Echo (electrocardiogram/ echocardiogram) Department.

“The echo career pathway is strengthening our cardiac services to benefit all fellow Alaskans,” Rebecca Loy, EKGEcho operations manager, said. Washburn University in Kansas provides online training, and Providence — through its Tuition Assistance Program administered by Guild — pays up to $5,250 tuition up front so current EKG technicians can continue to work and avoid going into debt. This allows students to advance their careers while staying in Alaska.

Students maintain their jobs, working two 12-hour shifts a week alongside 30 hours of clinical work and two days of classes.

“It is a solid year of ‘you are busy every day’,” Loy said. “But to not have to move out of state, it’s a lot of money and time to do that. Here, they can stay home with family where they feel supported.”

That is exactly what Borowski wants for Providence caregivers: A sense of connection to both the health care field and home.

School-business partnerships

Providence currently supports a school-business partnership with the Anchorage School District, including establishing ambassadors in various high schools in Anchorage.

The ambassadors spend a couple of hours each month

at one of the schools, visiting students, teachers and administrators to encourage health care careers. In April 2025, the program received the Anchorage School District Jim Utter Award of Excellence, and Borowski said Providence is looking to expand to all Anchorage high schools and potentially middle schools.

Amid all the work to build a local workforce, Providence continues to bring cutting-edge technology and treatments to Alaska. These efforts, Borowski said, go hand-in-hand with Providence Alaska’s efforts to ensure more patients receive care and heal close to home.

ION technology

Providence recently introduced ION navigational bronchoscopy to enhance the accuracy of lung cancer diagnoses. In three years, Providence providers performed 111+ procedures, demonstrating rapid growth and increasing access to the advanced diagnostic tool.

Lisa Smith, RN, and coordinator of the PAMC Lung Nodule Program, emphasized that both the ION technology and her role in facilitating patient referrals help to “make Alaska smaller.”

“We follow our patients throughout the process,” Smith added. “They’re guided every step of the way, and that makes a tremendous difference. It’s incredibly rewarding to help patients receive timely diagnoses and treatment options so they can move forward with confidence.”

Innovative cancer treatment

Lisa Friesen is manager at the Providence Cancer Center, which has advanced early detection and treatment of prostate cancer with a treatment called Pluvicto. Providence is currently the only hospital in Alaska providing first-line treatment with Pluvicto, Friesen said.

“We just felt very passionate about being able to keep patients here and being able to treat them here as much as possible,” she said. “If you have to leave the state for care, it can be isolating. If we can provide the treatment at home, it makes a huge difference to be surrounded by loved ones.”

Loy said Providence’s ability to provide Lower 48 technologies, along with strengthening the workforce with local talent, is what true health care is all about. When Providence invests in their very most important assets – their people – its care centers can accomplish huge things.

“We are Alaskans. We are here and established and rooted here,” she said. “I’ve worked at Providence for 25 years … being able to build our own and grow from within, for me that is the best opportunity for our future.”

Billions in motion: Alaska’s 2025 construction season builds our future from the ground up

PRESENTED BY ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF ALASKA

It’s construction season in Alaska — and it’s a big one. Across the state, cranes, excavators and work boots are out in force as billions of dollars in projects come to life. With historic federal funding and private investment converging, 2025 is shaping up to be a busy season with a positive economic impact Alaskans can see and feel.

We often think of construction in terms of individual projects, like schools, clinics or roads. But the real impact is cumulative. Every building raised, every bridge repaired, every broadband line laid creates a ripple. It improves quality of life, supports other industries and opens doors for future development. Construction trades workers are quite literally building the infrastructure of tomorrow.

Private sector investment is leading the way this year. On the North Slope, construction crews are in full swing on two of the most significant oil developments in decades. Santos expects Pikka Phase 1 to wrap up by year’s end, while ConocoPhillips is pushing forward on Willow into 2026. These projects alone represent nearly $1.5 billion in activity.

Elsewhere, utility and energy infrastructure is seeing a boost, as well. Thanks to federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, long-awaited projects in broadband, water systems and rural power upgrades are breaking ground. That work totals around $710 million this year and brings realworld improvements to communities that have waited a long time for reliable service.

Hospitals and health care campuses are also expanding. Behavioral health centers, longterm care facilities and emergency room upgrades are underway. Many of these projects help alleviate the strain on resources in the health care industry, so professionals can deliver care that families need.

Transportation remains a visible part of this year’s construction season, from highway improvements to airport upgrades. While recent administrative and funding challenges have tempered longer-term forecasts, crews are still hard at work on key projects around our state.

This wave of activity means jobs. And lots of them. The industry directly employs over 25,000 Alaskans; when factoring in multiplier effects through other sectors, construction supports about 41,900 jobs statewide. These are good-paying, year-round jobs with growth potential. Best of all, the vast majority of those jobs and wages stay local.

Construction touches all parts of the state. Every borough and census area in Alaska has active contractors and job sites. From new schools in Kaktovik, to airport work in Deadhorse, to housing projects in Sitka, the industry’s footprint is broad and its presence is constant.

Construction also drives significant indirect and induced economic activity, supporting suppliers, service providers and small businesses statewide. Every dollar spent on a project sets off a chain reaction that benefits Alaska’s economy far beyond the construction site. This is why construction remains one of the most vital sectors in Alaska’s economy. It supports a wide range of local industries, generates reliable income for thousands of families and strengthens the foundations of both rural and urban communities alike.

That growth can bring its own challenges. The industry is under pressure to meet increasing demand for skilled labor. Alaska will need more than 1,300 additional construction trade workers each year through 2032 to replace retiring workers and support growth. Recruiting and retaining that workforce — especially in rural areas — will require continued investment in training, outreach and education. Other challenges, like bureaucratic hurdles or the uncertainty of available match funding for future state budgets, further complicate construction efforts. But, Alaska’s contractors have shown time and again that they’re adaptable and ready to deliver. Associated General Contractors of Alaska is here to help them do that, advocating for smarter policy, expanding workforce development and building partnerships that get projects off the ground.

If there’s one takeaway from this year’s forecast, it’s that construction isn’t just shaping Alaska’s present, it’s laying the foundation for Alaska’s future. That means stronger communities, better jobs and a more resilient economy. Associated General Contractors of Alaska is looking forward to meeting the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Past, Present and Future: Why We’re Stronger Together, and RDC’s Lasting Legacy

PRESENTED BY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR ALASKA

Fifty years ago, the Organization for Management of Alaska’s Resources (OMAR) was born. Its first major goal: to rally support for securing the right-of-way for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. After the pipeline’s successful completion, the organization rebranded as the Resource Development Council for Alaska (RDC) and broadened its mission to champion education and advocacy for all of Alaska’s resource industries.

From the very beginning, one truth has remained clear: when Alaskans align their interests and work together, real progress happens.

Today, RDC represents five key pillars of Alaska’s economy — oil and gas, mining, fishing, timber and tourism. With more than 300 corporate and individual members, RDC’s industries generate approximately $24.3 billion annually and support 177,000 jobs across the state.

The Alaska challenge: Public lands and private enterprise

Of the 365.5 million acres that make up the state, federal agencies lay claim to 222 million — around 61%. Remarkably, one-third of all federal land in the United States lies within Alaska’s borders.

Alaskans value these lands for their natural beauty and recreational opportunities. However, extensive federal land ownership has also meant ongoing challenges in accessing and responsibly developing the resources that power our economy and support our communities. Since the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), RDC’s Alaska Native corporation partners are now the largest group of private land owners in Alaska.

The established legal issues that will continue to define Alaska’s future

RDC has engaged on countless issues over these five decades of advocacy, focused on providing access for resource development through the responsible implementation of resource-related laws and regulations, balancing environmental protections and providing resource development industries with the tools to succeed and grow Alaska’s economy. RDC is working on many issues that existed in the ‘70s and ‘80s, such as reasonable implementation of the laws that govern Alaska federal lands and waters.

As Alaskans look to balance the scales of responsible resource development, many issues end up in the court system through lawsuits and sometimes decades of litigation. One example still being litigated is the challenge of the reimposition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule), which restricts road construction and timber harvesting in national forests, including the 16.8-million-

acre Tongass National Forest. RDC and 23 other Alaska parties have joined to oppose the Roadless Rule in court. While progress has been made depending on the federal administration in power, it is important that a lasting repeal of this rule is put in place, particularly for the Tongass.

There have been many wins in favor of responsible development and reasonable interpretation of the law over the course of RDC’s history. Recently, there have been substantial legal victories regarding federal overreach on the scope and procedural requirements under NEPA (Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County), Waters of the United States under the CWA (Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and the restoration of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s (AIDEA) illegally-cancelled oil and gas leases in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (AIDEA v. U.S. Department of Interior). Importantly, these decisions uphold the law as it is written and allow environmental reviews to proceed without politically motivated delays.

Stronger together: Building the next 50 years

By utilizing RDC’s diverse membership, including all 12 regional Alaska Native Corporations, local communities, organized labor and industry support firms, and in partnership with local, state and federal government entities, RDC can act as a rallying point for state-wide issues. Over the last few years, RDC’s membership has successfully collaborated on many key issues, such as supporting the fishing industry as they battle international and environmental headwinds, highlighting the importance of federal consultation with indigenous communities and providing reasonable access to resources.

A bright future, rooted in shared purpose

The future is bright for Alaska’s resource industries, though it will not be without its challenges. RDC’s 50 years have shown time and again that Alaskans are stronger together. It’s time for Alaska to speak with one voice – we are ready to grow Alaska’s economy, create job opportunities and improve the livelihoods of all Alaskans.

As Time Goes By, The Fundamental Things Apply…

PRESENTED BY THE ALASKA SUPPORT INDUSTRY ALLIANCE

In 1979, a group of passionate Alaskans banded together to support oil and gas leases in the Beaufort Sea, forming The Alaska Support Industry Alliance (The Alliance). Initially, it was a voice for local businesses, advocating for a stable tax environment, land availability and regulatory reform.

Today, with over 500 members with 35,000 employees, The Alliance remains dedicated to these causes, actively communicating industry needs and concerns to both members and the Alaskan community. Their efforts have led to positive changes in business fees, industry taxes and development incentives, benefiting oil, gas and mining sectors.

Despite economic challenges, The Alliance continues to strive for a balanced state budget, equitable tax climate and resource development, always with Alaska’s best interests at heart.

A strong start

Until The Alaska Support Industry Alliance was formed, the state had lacked a collective voice for businesses engaged in providing services and products to the oil and gas companies.

The Alliance’s mission then was very specific. Efforts focused on three areas that were critical to the health of the oil and gas industry:

• Stable tax environment

• Availability of public land for development of Alaska’s oil and gas resources

• Regulatory and statutory reform

Since that time, The Alliance has grown, however the actions and our focus have remained the same. The Alliance has always and will continue to serve as a vehicle for industry communication.

With a strong statewide presence, through educational events and other forums, industry blogs and a strong social media presence, The Alliance actively communicates industry needs, concerns, trends and issues, not only to their members, but to all Alaskans. They have the ability to question counterproductive regulatory policies and rules, and actively seek resolution without the fear of reprisal. They also have the ear of legislators, who often seek The Alliance’s counsel on a myriad of oil and gas related issues.

Throughout the years, the consistent communication and unified approach have influenced a positive outcome on issues important to oil and development. All with remarkably few administrative costs and the dedication of a volunteer board of directors.

The list of successes include maintaining reasonable business fees, deterring punitive industry taxes, promoting development incentives, supporting Outer Continental Shelf drilling, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, areawide leasing, North Star development, National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, Alpine development, Cook Inlet natural gas and oil development,

worker’s compensation reform and even tort reform!

Continuing on

Fifteen years ago,The Alliance reinvigorated efforts to support Alaska’s mining industry, as many of their members were providing support to Alaska’s mining operations. Since that time, The Alliance has advocated for the same policies – a stable tax environment, availability of public land to develop resources and regulatory and statutory reform, for the mining industry.

Recently, The Alaska Department of Labor revealed some pretty dire news about Alaska’s gross domestic product (GDP), using the term “long-term stagnation” to describe the scenario: Alaska’s GDP grew more slowly over the past decade than that of all other states except for one, according to a Department of Labor and Workforce Development analysis.

The state’s GDP – the value of all goods and services – rose by only 0.4% annually on average from 2015 to 2025 when adjusted for inflation, according to the analysis in this month’s Alaska Economic Trends, the magazine published by the department’s research and analysis section. Only North Dakota has slower growth during the period, averaging 0.2% a year.

This is of great concern to The Alliance and their membership, and should be of great concern to Alaska’s private sector. Growing Alaska’s GDP requires growing the private sector; the policy fundamentals that mattered 46 years ago still matter today.

Looking ahead

The Alliance has been a consistent leader in supporting a balanced state budget, knowing that the choices come down to either responsible state spending or more oil industry taxes.

Now, more than ever, the Alliance will support a commitment to balancing the state budget and maintaining an equitable and stable tax climate, regulatory and statutory reform and making Alaska’s land available for development of Alaska’s oil, gas and mining resources.