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.
Bettisworth North Names New Principal
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - David Popiel has been named a principal at Bettisworth North, Alaska’s largest locally owned architecture firm. A licensed architect with 19 years of experience, Popiel has practiced in Alaska since 2009. The announcement was made by Bettisworth North president Tracy Vanairsdale. “David’s creative mindset and design sensibility help deepen our culture of collaboration,” said Vanairsdale. “We are a legacy firm shaped by shared purpose and a passion for building strong Alaska
$5.5 million in rental assistance funding open to applicants
Community members can now apply to receive Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2). Mayor LaFrance’s team worked to find and award more than $5.5 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance to help people access and maintain housing. Funds are available to help people stay in housing and to help people transition from shelter to housing. You could be eligible for funding if your household . . . Makes less than 80% of the area median income; ANDIs experiencing housing insecurity; ANDExperienced financial
Alaska Native Heritage Center Welcomes Home Rare Dena'ina Parka, Hundreds of Ancestral Belongings, and Unveils Three Historic Exhibitions
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – This summer, the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) will unveil three new powerful exhibitions honoring the resilience, artistry, and living histories of Alaska’s First Peoples. Among the extraordinary highlights is the arrival of the world’s only known Dena'ina ground squirrel parka, on special loan from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York.The parka, hand-stitched from dozens of ground squirrel pelts, was collected during the historic Jesup Expedition on April
Alaska Communications and Slalom to Deliver Managed Cloud Solutions for Alaska Enterprises
Alaska Communications and Slalom to Deliver Managed Cloud Solutions for Alaska EnterprisesOptions include AWS and Microsoft with artificial intelligence and data options As cloud use cases continue to expand, Alaska Communications is teaming up with industry leader Slalom to provide advanced cloud offerings for Alaska enterprises and government organizations. From enabling more efficient and sustainable exploration in the oil and gas industry to opening a world of real-time collaboration and learning
Bradley Butcher Brings Comedy and Healing to Alaska
Local comedian brings laughter and mental health awareness to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage beginning June 12 ANCHORAGE, AK — Anchorage native Bradley Butcher is launching a summer comedy series, titled Comedy Up North, presented in partnership with the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in the Sydney Laurence Theatre. The series is bringing nationally touring comedians to Alaska for a run of stand-up comedy shows that spotlight great comedy and normalizing mental health. The
Mayor LaFrance seeks to curb urban fire danger with new law
Mayor LaFrance introduced an ordinance to the Assembly yesterday to criminalize unauthorized fires across the Municipality.The new law criminalizes starting dangerous fires on public and private land. It makes it a misdemeanor to start unauthorized fires during fire season, to start fires on public roads and sidewalks, or to start any fires in violation of a burn ban.Right now, people can’t be held accountable for starting unauthorized fires unless and until they cause property damage or get dangerously out
Matson Donates $1.4 Million to Alaska Nonprofits in 2024
ANCHORAGE (May 7, 2025) – Ocean transportation and logistics service company Matson contributed a total of $1.4 million in cash donations and in-kind services to 110 Alaska charitable community organizations and non-profit programs during 2024. Cash contributions, including funds directed by employees through the company’s Matching Gift program, totaled $600,000 in 2024, while the value of donated services and equipment came to $800,000. Environmental programs comprised the largest category of giving at
UAA’s College of Business and Public Policy Earns Extension of Prestigious AACSB Accreditation
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) College of Business and Public Policy (CBPP) is proud to announce the extension of its accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This recognition affirms CBPP’s continued commitment to excellence in business education, impactful research, and meaningful engagement with Alaska’s communities and economy. AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and is earned by fewer than six
Kathleen McArdle Selected for U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Business Leads Fellowship Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced Kathleen McArdle, President & CEO of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants to participate in a Master Class for members of the Business Leads Fellowship Program network. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips business leaders from across the country with resources, experts, and a powerful network of peers needed to address the most pressing education and workforce
CTE Summer Internships Application Extended
The Anchorage School District offers juniors and seniors opportunities to experience an internship in specific career and technical education (CTE) fields. Students participating in the internship program must meet specific guidelines and then be partnered with a business that is interested in providing internship experience over the summer. The mentor (business partner), the student, and the CTE teacher collaborate to develop goals for the student that build upon the foundations the student has learned in
The Legal Lowdown: 2025 Updates for Businesses
Navigating today’s evolving legal landscape is a challenge for organizational leaders and their HR managers. As new legislation, executive orders, and the dynamic interplay between state and federal law continue to reshape workplace compliance, staying informed is more critical than ever. Join us for an in-person half-day session on May 22 where three seasoned attorneys will discuss the latest legal developments affecting HR practices. They will provide practical, actionable insights on how to interpret
Rock the Hill Music Festival Gets Bigger and Bolder
Anchorage, AK – May 1, 2025 – The Anchorage Concert Association is excited to announce the return of Rock the Hill, now expanded to a two-day summer celebration at Hilltop Ski Area, July 18–19, 2025. After selling out last year, this homegrown festival is back — bigger, better, and ready to showcase the best in Alaskan music, food, and outdoor fun. Set at the foothills of the Chugach Mountains, Rock the Hill blends live music with the natural beauty of Anchorage. This year’s festival features thirteen
Alaska Communications seeks nominations for youth who are local heroes
Do You Know an Incredible Youth?Alaska Communications seeks nominations for youth who are local heroes May 5, 2025 – Every day, young Alaskans are doing incredible things to help others – volunteering to support those in need, stepping up for friends or neighbors in tough times, or initiating projects that make their community better. Alaska Communications is excited to celebrate extraordinary youth who are making a positive community impact through the Summer of Heroes program. In partnership with
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Anchorage Chamber Announces Annual Citywide Cleanup & Kickoff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2025 ANCHORAGE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES ANNUAL CITYWIDE CLEANUP & KICKOFF! May 3 through May 31, 2025 ANCHORAGE - The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 2025 Citywide Cleanup presented by Matson, May 3rd through May 31st. Each year, thousands of volunteers throughout the Municipality of Anchorage unite to collect and dispose of millions of pounds of trash from Anchorage, Eagle River, and Girdwood. In 2024, over 5,000 registered volunteers
First National Bank Alaska contributes nearly $219,400 to Alaskans in Q1 2025 News Release: 4/24/2025
Alaskans statewide benefitted from contributions of $219,399.78 from First National Bank Alaska and its employees during January through March 2025. This total includes investments in Alaska communities made in the form of charitable gifts and community sponsorships. “I learned early on that First National succeeds only when Alaskans and the communities they live in prosper as well,” said Betsy Lawer, First National Board Chair and CEO/President. “Experience has taught us these contributions are an
Alaska Native Heritage Center Awarded $3.5M from Mellon Foundation for Monumental Healing Garden Project
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) board and staff are excited to announce that we have been awarded $3.5 million from the Mellon Foundation as part of the Monuments Project, an initiative from the arts and culture institution based in New York, NY. This project represents a historic step towards healing for the Alaska Native community. It is intended for this endeavor to invigorate the artist community to work towards public commemoration of the largest challenges that Alaska
Three LaFrance pro-housing policies pass Assembly
Three pieces of housing reform sponsored by the LaFrance administration passed at last night’s Assembly meeting. As part of Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s 10,000 Homes in Ten Years strategy, the three measures are tailored to help get housing built across the Municipality.Tax break to build multi-family housing. This ordinance establishes a property tax break so the cost of building multi-family housing in Anchorage isn’t more than the property itself is worth. Co-sponsored by Mayor LaFrance and Assembly Members
Global Credit Union Foundation Gives $115,000 to Local Nonprofits
Global Credit Union Foundation Gives $115,000 to Local Nonprofits Anchorage, AK – The Global Credit Union Foundation donated $115,000 to community nonprofits in Alaska, Arizona, and California as part of its 2025 quarterly distribution of funds to its nonprofit partners in areas served by the credit union. "We collaborate with these nonprofits because we have witnessed the positive impact they have on the community," said Noël Gabler, Executive Director, Global Credit Union Foundation. "The essential
Registration opens, award nominations invited, teacher grant available for AOGA’S 2025 conference
ANCHORAGE — April 9, 2025 — Registration is now open for the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s annual conference. The conference is scheduled for Aug. 27-28, 2025, at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center. The conference will kick off with an employee appreciation event on Aug. 26. AOGA’s annual conference gathers industry and business leaders, government officials, and public policy experts to discuss key issues impacting Alaska’s oil and gas sector, environmental stewardship, and technological advancements shaping
Alaska Native Heritage Center honors two community leaders with awards at annual spring brunch
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Two influential Alaska Native leaders — one emerging, one established — were recently honored by the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) Board and Staff for their dedication to preserving and uplifting Alaska Native cultures. During the ANHC’s Spring Brunch celebration last month, West Anchorage High School junior Miley Amisiimaq Kakaruk and former CIRI President and CEO Roy Huhndorf received community awards that spotlight leadership rooted in cultural resilience, advocacy and
Alaska Communications Launches Bundled Services Perfect for Small Businesses
Alaska Communications Launches Bundled Services Perfect for Small BusinessesBundles are scalable and include unlimited internet, Microsoft 365, voice and help desk options ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 99.9% of businesses in the U.S. are small businesses. Although many small businesses are a labor of love, their owners often find themselves working long hours and juggling multiple roles. “As a technology leader, we want to help Alaska’s business leaders
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Awards the Anchorage Chamber with 5-Star Accreditation
ANCHORAGE, AK — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce a 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective procedures, and positive community impact. Of the 7,500 chambers in the United States, 187 of these are Accredited. These elite chambers represent the top 3% of all chambers in the United States. “Chambers of commerce nationwide play a vital role in their communities every day,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President, Federation Relations and Coalition
Fiber broadband coming to Nenana thanks to Nenana Native Association and Alaska Communications
Alaskans living in the Athabascan community of Nenana will receive lifechanging broadband service, thanks to a Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 grant funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The collaboration between Nenana Native Association, Tanana Chiefs Conference and Alaska Communications will bring fiber to the home service to 362 households, 30 businesses, and nine anchor institutions. This transformative effort is poised to bridge the digital
Global Credit Union Foundation Gives $65,000 to Local Nonprofits
Anchorage, AK – The Global Credit Union Foundation donated $65,000 to community nonprofits in Alaska and Arizona. The donations were part of the Foundation’s 2024 quarterly distribution of funds to its nonprofit partners in areas served by the credit union. “We’ve partnered with these nonprofits because we’ve seen firsthand the good they do in the community,” said Noël Gabler, Executive Director, Global Credit Union Foundation. “Many of the vital services they provide can’t be obtained anywhere else,
