Member News
Does your business have exciting news it wants to share with the rest of the Anchorage Chamber membership? To submit an announcement, log in to your Anchorage Chamber profile and complete a News Release. For assistance accessing your account, call (907) 272-2401.
Anchorage Chamber staff will review and approve all submissions.
Anchorage Assembly and Mayor LaFrance set 2026 municipal budget, securing core services and public safety investments
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance commends the Anchorage Assembly's passage of the 2026 municipal budget package on Tuesday night.The amended and approved 2026 Operating Budget is largely a continuation budget from 2025. It ensures essential municipal services are funded while making strategic investments in the community’s top priorities."This budget is a success forged through collaboration and fiscal discipline. Its approval is a powerful example of what the Administration and the Assembly can achieve when we work
Mayor LaFrance appoints new leaders to key roles at the Municipality
Today, Mayor LaFrance announced staffing updates for key positions at the Municipality of Anchorage that will support critical economic and community development goals. Terry Umatum will be the new Port Director of the Don Young Port of Alaska. A veteran of the United States Navy, Umatum is a logistics professional, most recently serving as the Alaska Manager for Estes Express Line, the largest privately owned LTL trucking company in North America. Umatum has 23 years of logistical experience working for
Mayor LaFrance proposes 3% sales tax to build Anchorage’s future
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance on Friday delivered to the Anchorage Assembly her proposal for a 3% sales tax. This balanced, three-part investment plan will strengthen public safety and infrastructure, provide direct property tax relief, and support economic growth through investments in housing and child care. “Anchorage is at a turning point. It is up to us to fund the future we want for our community,” said Mayor LaFrance. “This proposal is a thoughtful, balanced, and responsible plan for Anchorage residents
Try Your Hand at Balancing ASD's Budget
ASD is requesting community input as it develops the budget for next school year and works to close a gap of more than $77 million. The increase in state funding passed by the Legislature earlier this year helped but does not relieve the District from many years of underfunding education. Without additional state funding, ASD again will have to make significant reductions to balance the budget. District decisions must be guided by what our community values most for our students and where we choose to
Municipal Veterans Day celebration and property tax exemptions
In recognition of Veterans Day, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance encourages disabled Anchorage veterans and surviving spouses of military members to review and apply for property tax exemptions available to them through the Municipality of Anchorage.“Anchorage is home to many who have served and sacrificed for our country,” said Mayor LaFrance. “We are profoundly grateful for their commitment, and it is important that our veterans and their families have access to the benefits they’ve earned.”Information and
Municipality of Anchorage offers support to federal workers and military families impacted by the federal government shutdown
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, in partnership with Assembly Members Christopher Constant and Jared Goecker, has instituted free bus rides and directed municipal utilities to offer flexibility and assistance to local federal employees and military families going without paychecks during the federal government shutdown.These steps aim to help impacted Anchorage residents stretch their financial resources when they are missing paychecks. The federal government is one of the largest employers in Alaska, and about
Goodwill Industries Disaster Relief Efforts “Round-Up Campaign'' to Support the American Red Cross
Goodwill Industries of Alaska (Goodwill) will join the community to provide assistance for individuals affected by the devastating storms and floods in Alaska. Beginning Sunday, November 2nd and running through Saturday, November 8th, Goodwill will conduct a Round Up campaign for the American Red Cross and will match up to $5,000 in contributions made at its stores in Anchorage and Wasilla. Individuals can contribute by rounding up their purchase or simply walking in and making a donation at any
Anchorage Assembly unanimously passes two LaFrance policies to support housing repair and rehabilit
Two policies sponsored by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance making it easier to repair and rehabilitate housing were unanimously approved by the Anchorage Assembly this week.“Red tape shouldn’t prevent people from repairing, rehabilitating, or maintaining their homes, no matter where they live,” said Mayor LaFrance. “These changes will help unlock our community’s housing supply by removing unnecessary regulatory burdens and create flexibility so homeowners have more power to address their own needs.”AO 2025-94 makes
