Amidst the pandemonium created by the Coronavirus outbreak, our partisan US Congress has managed to overwhelmingly support and pass several pieces of stimulus legislation. The process was neither easy nor smooth, but these mega-bills include stimulus for individuals, businesses, healthcare providers, and the greater fiscal system and economy.
Sustaining Alaska’s Future Economy Guaranty Program (AK SAFE) was recently approved by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), to confront the economic impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. AIDEA will make up to $50 million available for loan guarantees under AK SAFE, and subject to authorization for a statutory change, AIDEA will increase the program cap to $1 billion.
Trilogy Metals’ interim president and CEO, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and Senator Dan Sullivan commented on the public release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement by the US Bureau of Land Management for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority estimates the Ambler road project would create an estimated 486 construction and 68 permanent jobs, with more jobs created and supported by world-class mining projects in the Ambler district.
Port Chilkoot Distillery is usually busy this time of year finishing up production of small-batch whiskey and preparing for the summer influx of seasonal residents and visitors to the tasting room.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Research Center’s latest survey on the current impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on small business offers a stark contrast from a prior survey conducted only days ago.
Across the state, businesses and consumers are stepping up to keep the economy moving along in the face of coronavirus. We’ve compiled a few tidbits from our own resources (social media, news updates, and more) and information found from other sources to paint a positive picture of Alaskans pulling together.