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.
Global Federal Credit Union officially acquires First Financial Northwest Bank
Anchorage, AK and Renton, WA – As of Saturday, April 12, 2025, Global Federal Credit Union (“Global”) is officially managing the operations of First Financial Northwest Bank (FFNWB). In an agreement that closed at midnight last Friday, Global, with headquarters in Anchorage, Alaska, acquired substantially all assets and assumed substantially all liabilities (including deposit liabilities) of FFNWB, headquartered in Renton, Washington. Global will operate the locations of the bank as a separately
Build homes in Malawi for families in need
Habitat for Humanity Anchorage, in addition to building affordable housing in Anchorage, donates funding to build Habitat homes in Malawi. Executive Director Peter Taylor had the privilege of visiting Malawi to see the work of Habitat Malawi in October last year. "I was stunned by the effectiveness of a few American dollars in making huge differences to the lives of Malawi folk," said Peter. "I look forward to taking a group of Anchorage people with me this year to assist in some hands-on construction in a
2025 Business Confidence Index Survey
The Business Confidence Index (BCI) provides crucial insight into what the Anchorage business community is thinking when it comes to the condition and direction of our economy. This long-standing report ranks as one of AEDC’s most-read reports and is of top importance to our members, business community, government officials and public. This annual reporting wouldn’t be possible without the Anchorage business community’s input, or the generous financial support of Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield and
Dave Whitfield Joins R&M, Establishing Land Development Group
Dave Whitfield joined R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) as a Senior Planner in the firm’s newly established Land Development Group.Dave brings more than 20 years of land use planning experience to R&M, most recently serving as the Planning and Zoning Manager and Platting Officer for the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA). His background includes expertise in land use planning, subdivision and platting, code analysis, private development, and code compliance and implementation for public and private sector projects.
2025 AMATS Public Participation Plan
We are excited to announce the release of the 2025 Public Participation Plan, which outlines AMATS’s role in transportation planning for the Anchorage Bowl and Chugiak-Eagle River areas. We will collect comments until Friday, May 16th on this plan. Overview The plan explains AMATS processes in straightforward terms, including: Goals and objectives.Organizational structure of committees and staff.Key planning documents.Ways for the public to participate and provide input.How to Review the DocumentWatch: A
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
Mayor LaFrance opens call for Youth Advisory Commission members
Do you know a young leader in the Municipality of Anchorage who’s looking for a way to make a difference and contribute to our community? Mayor LaFrance is seeking applicants aged 14 to 22 to join the Youth Advisory Commission to provide insight to City Hall and the Assembly on issues, services, and programs affecting youth.One of the commission’s exciting responsibilities this year includes managing a generous donation from a local philanthropist to support community-focused initiatives.Members will take
Municipal wood lots free for residents preparing Anchorage for wildfire season
Alaska’s wildfire season started early this year. To help Anchorage residents protect their properties against wildfires, the Mayor’s Office, Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Division and Solid Waste Services (SWS) are partnering together to open the local wood lots for free to Anchorage residents clearing their properties this spring and summer. To encourage wildfire mitigation, from March 29 to September 30, no Anchorage residential loads of woody debris will incur fees.“I live in South Anchorage, so I
Global Credit Union Honors Alaska’s Military Service Members
Global Credit Union hosted its 30th Annual Alaska Military Appreciation Breakfast on February 14, 2025, to honor the Alaska Armed Services YMCA’s 13 Service Members of the Year recipients and the Military Spouse of the Year. Service members from all active-duty branches, as well as the Guard and Reserves, were nominated by their supervisors. Each nominee was then interviewed by a panel for recognition and awards based on their outstanding achievements. Guests included the command teams of the honorees,
LaFrance administration deploying over $5 million in housing assistance
Today, the LaFrance administration announced that over $5 million in secured federal funding will go toward helping people get housed and keep their housing in Anchorage.The Mayor’s Office team and the Anchorage Health Department have worked together to identify, align, and deploy two sets of federal funding for housing stability: Just over $4 million in Emergency Rental Assistance and $1.5 million in Housing and Urban Development funds (HOME-ARP).The funds are being awarded through a competitive process.
Municipality levels up preparations for Mount Spurr
Today, the Municipality’s Office of Emergency Management is stepping up to a Level Two activation status (of five possible levels) as they continue to monitor, coordinate, and share information about the potential of a Mount Spurr eruption. Mount Spurr’s official alert level has not changed since October 16, 2024 when the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) elevated it to Yellow/Advisory status due to increased activity. However, on March 12, the AVO released a statement that rising gas emissions mean they
Research Project USMARTT: Business Surveys
Urban Snow Modeling to Advance Resilience for Today and Tomorrow (USMARTT)Mission Statement University of Alaska researchers want to understand how previous years of heavy snow affected your business.Background In Anchorage, Alaska, the urban area has faced the top three snowiest years in the last decade. In the last two years, 24 buildings have collapsed due to weight of snow, resulting in one fatality.Survey Goals Objectives of the research project’s business surveys include: Assessing risk
Anchorage Community Land Trust (ACLT) Receives $300,000 Grant from KeyBank for a Shared Commercial
Grant will create access for early-stage food businesses in Alaska, focusing on underserved communities ANCHORAGE, Alaska — March 18, 2025 — Anchorage Community Land Trust (ACLT) has received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to launch the programming and operations of a new shared commercial kitchen facility in the Mountain View neighborhood of Anchorage. The facility, currently in development and slated to open in 2026, will provide shared kitchen and production space and cold and dry storage space to
2025 SHE Strength Heart Excellence Leadership Training Conference Set for May 12th & 13th
Anchorage, AK - The 2025 SHE (Strength, Heart, Excellence) Leadership Training Conference will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - VIP Reception / Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM - Main Event at The Petroleum Club Anchorage / Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center This premier leadership training experience for professionals in the hospitality and tourism industries, hosted by Alaska CHARR, will provide attendees with the tools, insights, and connections to elevate their careers and
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
Old Harbor Native Corporation and Alaska Communications Will Build Advanced Broadband Network Serving Tribal Communities on Kodiak Island
KODIAK, Alaska ? Alaskans in four Tribal communities on Kodiak Island 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, named Project Nunapet, between Old Harbor Native Corporation and Alaska Communications will install a middle mile subsea fiber optic cable from Homer to Kodiak Island. It will also deploy a last-mile fiber network offering Gigabit
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,
