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.
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
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
FEMA Assistance Field Teams Meeting Impacted Alaskans Where They Are
FEMA’s Assistance Field Teams are visiting impacted communities to support individuals and families who were affected by the severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong that occurred Oct. 8-13. Teams are registering people impacted by the disaster for FEMA Individual Assistance and answering questions.“We are going into these impacted communities to make FEMA assistance available to those impacted families to help them continue with their recovery” said Willie Nunn, Federal Coordinating
Your Business is Invited to Join 2025 Together We Give Event!
Hi Fellow Chamber Members, I’m Brittani Clancey, owner of FashionPact in Anchorage, and I'm inviting your company to join FashionPact’s 2025 “Together We Give” event on Giving Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025—a powerful community fundraiser that supports Alaskan nonprofits and lifts up local businesses at the same time. FashionPact donates 30% of every sale to local nonprofits every day. In just four years, we’ve donated over $500,000 back to our community. On Giving Tuesday, we magnify that impact through
A New Chapter for the Alaska World Affairs Council
Welcoming Siobhan Choi as President & CEO The Alaska World Affairs Council is delighted to announce that Siobhan Choi has been appointed as our new President & CEO. Siobhan joined the Council in 2019 and has since played a pivotal role in advancing our mission through her leadership in events, development, and community engagement. Her commitment to connecting Alaskans with global ideas and dialogue has been a driving force behind the Council’s growth and impact. Born and raised in Anchorage, Siobhan
Downtown Anchorage Gets a Glow-Up: Park It Forward Grant Winners Announced
Downtown Anchorage Gets a Glow-Up: Park It Forward Grant Winners Announced Anchorage, Alaska – November 12, 2025 - The Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA) and EasyPark are thrilled to announce the award recipients of the Park It Forward: Downtown Grant Program, supporting creative, community-driven projects that bring color, culture, art, and activity to the heart of Anchorage. This year, 11 projects were selected from 23 applications, representing a wave of local imagination and momentum
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
Matson Partners with WhaleSpotter to Commercialize Breakthrough Whale Detection Technology
HONOLULU, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. ("Matson") today announced a product agreement with WhaleSpotter Corp. ("WhaleSpotter") to purchase and deploy a groundbreaking whale detection system developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), making Matson the first container shipping company to deploy this advanced marine protection technology. Developed at WHOI with support from Matson and other contributors, the WhaleSpotter system combines thermal and AI-driven detection, and 24/7
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
UAA Appoints Dr. Jay Butler as Dean of the College of Health
UAA Appoints Dr. Jay Butler as Dean of the College of Health Renowned public health leader and former CDC deputy director leads UAA’s health education mission ANCHORAGE, Alaska —The University of Alaska Anchorage is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Jay Butler as the next dean of the College of Health, effective December 28, 2025. His distinguished career in public health and infectious disease includes deep ties to Alaska’s health landscape. Dr. Butler previously served as
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
MSI Communications and Mosaic Media Form Strategic Partnership
ANCHORAGE, AK (October 29, 2025) – Mosaic Media and MSI Communications announced their intent to form a strategic partnership — the largest of its kind in Alaska — uniting two respected agencies with complementary strengths to deliver greater value to clients. “We’ve spent years honing our digital media skills on the national stage,” says Mary Ann Pruitt, Founder and CEO of Mosaic Media. “Now, teaming up with Alaska’s renowned creative agency, MSI, we can bring our expertise home to Alaska to address
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
Matanuska Electric Association Announces Kim Henkel as Chief Financial Officer
PALMER, Alaska — Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (MEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Henkel, CPA, MBA, as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective January 2, 2026. Henkel brings more than a decade of financial and strategic leadership within Alaska’s utility and energy industries. Since joining MEA in 2018, she has held several key leadership positions—including Senior Manager of Finance & Commercial, Senior Manager of Strategic Implementation, and Energy Supply Manager—where
SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans
In response to the Presidential disaster declaration issued on Wednesday, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program is available to Alaska small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong that occurred October 8-13. The disaster declaration covers the Lower Kuskokwim REAA, Lower Yukon REAA & Northwest Arctic Borough. SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans. These
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
AI Impacts Alaska Businesses
HumanAxis offers AI and automation consultations to help companies uncover AI-enabled cost savings, new revenue opportunities, and identify risks in today’s rapidly evolving AI landscape. Evaluating how AI impacts your business is no longer optional—it’s essential. "AI is going to reshape every industry and every job." – Reid Hoffman, Co-founder of LinkedInOur AI Risk & Opportunity Consultation includes:Executive sessions with company leadership, 2 meetings (60–90 minutes each)Detailed report outlining
Alaska Communications Adds Best-in-Class Managed Wi-Fi to Its Small Business Solutions
ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its continued effort to help Alaska’s small businesses thrive, Alaska Communications (ACS) has added a best-in-class, secure managed Wi-Fi solution, purpose-built to meet small business connectivity needs, to its portfolio with ACS SmartBiz. ACS is the first provider in Alaska to launch Wi-Fi 7, delivering speeds up to four times faster than Wi-Fi 6, significantly lower latency, and more devices seamlessly connecting at the same time. The SmartBiz Wi-Fi 7
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
