According to the latest report from the state labor department, Alaska added 13,000 jobs over the past year, and the unemployment rate dropped from 5.7% to 5.2%. This is a positive sign for the state’s economy, as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oil spills from offshore transportation way down
A new report from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) found that the amount of oil spilled from offshore transportation in Alaska has decreased significantly over the past decade. The report found that the amount of oil spilled from tankers and barges has dropped by 90% since 2012.
Alaska seafood harvesting jobs decline as fish crashes, pandemic and other factors take toll
A new analysis from the McDowell Group found that the number of jobs in Alaska’s seafood harvesting industry has declined by 10% since 2019. The decline is due to a number of factors, including the collapse of the Bering Sea cod fishery, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased competition from foreign imports.
Alaska breaks cruise ship passenger record as tourism rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic
The state of Alaska welcomed a record number of cruise ship passengers in 2023. According to the Alaska Department of Commerce, there were over 1.65 million cruise ship passengers in Alaska this year, a 23% increase from 2019. The increase is due to a number of factors, including the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions and a strong demand for Alaska vacations.
These are just a few of the top news stories on Alaska’s economy and business today. For more news, please visit the websites of the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska’s News Source, and the Alaska Chamber of Commerce.