Business

The COVID-19 pandemic came at a rough time for Alaska. The state was just beginning to climb out of its recession and was projected to see economic growth. Instead, as the pandemic unfolded and shut down the tourism season, businesses closed and a record number of Alaskans found themselves out of work. 

“If somehow this improves the world that we live in locally here, and it can make things better for those that are not here yet, that is so classically Tlingit.”

Three big programs are competing for what remains of the city’s CARES Act money: direct payments, business grants and housing and utility assistance.

Some realtors objected to the new policy and said they should have been consulted. The Assembly could vote on the policy again as early as Nov. 16.

Business owners and local officials say they’re worried that keeping guests in a bubble would squeeze out most of Southeast Alaska’s small tour companies, retailers and restaurants.

The three theaters affected in Anchorage are Tikahtnu, Dimond Center and Totem. In Fairbanks, Regal Goldstream is affected.

A $6.5 million federal grant would have covered 80-percent of the estimated costs for a new haulout, but those funds did not come through.

City officials lifted restrictions on indoor service in Juneau bars, but said they are still concerned about community spread of COVID-19.

The complaint does not say whether the State of Alaska was defrauded, but according to SAExploration’s most-recent annual report, Alaskan Seismic Ventures collected millions of dollars in tax credits.

This summer, Milagro Darby saw an opportunity to scale up her solo side hustle. She now runs a five-person tutoring business and thinks demand for private tutoring will keep growing as parents and students get frustrated with distance learning.