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.
Rasmuson Foundation invests $11.9 million in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Rasmuson Foundation’s board of directors approved $6.9 million in investments at its December meeting. Additionally, the board extended its Housing and Homeless Initiative through 2030 with an additional $5 million investment. These decisions bring the Foundation’s 2025 investment total to more than $27.8 million. The Foundation’s new investments support community efforts across the state, from the Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak’s construction of a mariculture facility for kelp processing, to
Collaborating for Growth: How Anchorage Small Businesses Can Build Powerful Partnerships
TL;DRStrong partnerships among small business owners in Anchorage lead to shared growth, cost savings, and expanded influence. Focus on communication, complementary strengths, and formal agreements to make collaborations last. Digital tools and local networks—like Slack andHubSpot’s free CRM—can streamline teamwork and strengthen trust.The New Era of Business CollaborationAnchorage’s small business community thrives on relationships. In an economy that rewards agility and community trust, collaboration is
Best Beginnings Launches Statewide “Dolly Week” Celebration January 11–17
Alaska businesses invited to join the celebration and add their events to the Dolly Week mapBest Beginnings, Alaska’s statewide school readiness nonprofit and home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alaska, is excited to announce Dolly Week, a weeklong celebration from January 11–17 honoring the joy, connection, and early education sparked by reading together. Each month, more than 15,000 Alaska children in 142 communities receive a free, high-quality book in the mail and parent education— a
Mayor LaFrance & ACDA celebrate construction of 32 microunits supporting recovery & stability
Mayor Suzanne LaFranceMunicipality of Anchorage Mayor LaFrance & ACDA celebrate construction of 32 microunits supporting recovery & stabilityMayor Suzanne LaFrance and the Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA) joined community partners today to celebrate construction progress on the Microunits for Recovery Residences at the site of the new transitional housing and behavioral health treatment project, located near the Elmore Permit Center."Each of these microunits represents a chance at recovery
Eight Leaders Find Renewal with Annual Sabbatical Award
Anchorage, ALASKA – Eight deserving Alaska leaders will enjoy time off to reflect andpursue personal projects with the 2026 Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Award. Therecipients of this year’s awards receive three to four months of time away from theirregular duties. Recipients plan to use their sabbaticals for adventures, like a 96-mile hikethrough Scotland, or restorative opportunities, like family visits to national parks. The sabbatical program provides tribal administrators and nonprofit leaders
FEMA Western Alaska Legal Clinic - Tues 12/16
Event Details:FEMA Western AK Disaster Legal ClinicTuesday, December 1610am-5pm@ The Bridge Co - 221 W. Ship Creek Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/871136055449360 Were you affected by the Western Alaska storms and now staying in Anchorage?Did you receive no assistance or not enough to cover your damages? You have the right to appeal — and we can help!Join us on Tuesday, December 16 for FREE legal advice from volunteer attorneys. We can help you: File FEMA & State and Red Cross
New Kids Books Released
Available on Amazon Now: https://amzn.to/4iJM4qS ?? The Forest Crew’s DISCovery Adventures – A Heartwarming Tale of Teamwork, Differences & Dreams! “We’re different… but together, we shine!”Join Leo the Lion, Polly the Parrot, Tilly the Turtle, and Ollie the Owl on a magical adventure in Whisperwood Forest! When four friends with very different ideas and backgrounds head out into the forest for fun and adventure, they DISCover much more…Each Other!Perfect for ages 4–8, this vibrantly illustrated rhyming
Chugach Electric lights up holiday tables across Anchorage
350 turkeys donated to 11 local nonprofits Dinner tables across Anchorage will be brighter and more complete this holiday season, thanks to the longstanding philanthropic spirit of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. The annual turkey delivery by the member-owned cooperative is underway, with Chugach donating 350 turkeys to 11 local non-profits. Chugach gives back throughout the year, but the holiday turkey delivery is one of the utility’s favorite traditions. With inflation and other financial
Rasmuson Foundation Awards $1 Million to Address Hunger in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Rasmuson Foundation board of directors approved grants totaling $1 million to six statewide organizations in a collaborative effort to provide immediate relief to Alaskans facing food insecurity over the holiday season. Statewide, food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens are experiencing increased demands, as rising prices and decreased food benefits leave households without the support they need. The lengthy federal shutdown, along with Typhoon Halong’s displacement of Alaskans
KeyBank Celebrates its Bicentennial with a $200,000 Foundation Grant to Cook Inlet Lending Center
Grant is part of program designed to strengthen Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and foundations that play a critical role in fostering economic opportunity and strengthening communities Anchorage, AK – November 19, 2025– To celebrate 200 years of KeyBank’s service to communities across the nation, the KeyBank Foundation is awarding a $200,000 philanthropic grant to Cook Inlet Lending Center (CILC). This is part of Key’s special bicentennial grant program designed to strengthen
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
Urban Snow Modeling to Advance Resilience for Today and Tomorrow (USMARTT)
Project USMARTT: Business Surveys 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. Specifically, from 2022 to 2024, heavy snow loads caused 24 buildings to collpase, resulting in one fatality.Survey Goals Objectives of the research project’s business surveys include: Assessing risk perceptions.Understanding actions taken
A Business Owner’s Guide to Securing Digital Intellectual Property
Launching and growing a business today means more than securing customers and building brand recognition — it also means safeguarding your intellectual property (IP). In a world where digital assets can be copied, shared, or misused within seconds, protecting your IP is not optional; it’s essential. This guide explores practical strategies you can implement to keep your ideas, content, designs, and innovations secure while still running a thriving business. Understanding Intellectual Property in the
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
