Channel 2 and CBS 5 flipped the switch on two new transmitters March 3. “This is an exciting day in our station’s history as the new equipment replaces transmitters we’ve had for twenty years,” General Manager and Vice President Nancy Johnson says. The upgrades to the towers located in Goose Bay are also more energy efficient. In 2019, the station added an additional transmitter and expanded its over the air signal into the Kenai Peninsula. Most television sets will find the new signals automatically; others will need to be rescanned. alaskasnewssource.com

Recreational trail construction and maintenance efforts in Alaska could be bolstered by an additional $1 million this year, according to the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Under its Recreational Trails Program, the division typically offers grants of about $1.2 million a year for trail work in Alaska, says Director Ricky Gease. Each $1 a grant recipient provides is matched by $9 from the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA). Eligible applicants include nonprofits; educational institutions; Native corporations or tribal governments; and local, state, and federal government agencies. With additional FWHA money recently becoming available to the state, the division is currently accepting a second round of applications in 2021 for grants totaling approximately $1 million. The division is especially interested in using this year’s additional money to fund grants of up to $300,000 for projects supporting motorized uses and up to $150,000 for non-motorized uses. However, under the grant rules, projects supporting trail safety and education are not eligible for this second round of grants. dnr.alaska.gov/parks

As of March 1, Hughes White Colbo Wilcox & Tervooren updated its firm name to Hughes White Colbo & Tervooren—shortening it colloquially to Hughes White.

Founded in 1939, Hughes White has met the legal needs of businesses and individuals throughout Alaska with a focus on litigation, insurance defense and employment law; environmental law; family law including divorce and custody disputes; and property law. hugheswhite.com

Koniag added Great Northern Engineering (GNE) to its Energy and Water business sector. Based in Palmer, GNE is a well-established engineering firm with clients and projects that range from the North Slope to Anchorage. GNE will join Dowland-Bach, Glacier Services, and recently acquired Big G Electric & Engineering in Koniag’s Energy and Water sector. koniag.com | greatnorthernengineering.com

McKinley Capital Management and the newly forming entity McKinley Alaska Private Investment are launching a Direct Lending business to provide local capital solutions for Alaska businesses in the current and post-pandemic economy. McKinley’s Direct Lending program serves businesses that have need for loans in the $10 million to $500 million range, filling a known void in Alaska for business capital.

According to Rob Gillam, McKinley Capital Management CEO and Chief Investment Officer, “There have traditionally been three sources of capital available to Alaska businesses: small business loans (which typically have a $7 million cap and many restrictions), bank loans (which typically require existing assets for collateral and historical cash flow), and private or public bonds (which are typically for very large businesses and have a $500 million minimum). This has left a large gap for capital needs between $7 million and $500 million, and for businesses that need capital in order to acquire the assets or infrastructure necessary to begin or continue operations. This lack of capital has been an obstacle for the economic growth and development of Alaska business, so this is the space that McKinley is trying to fill with both private equity capital and private debt capital available to qualifying Alaska businesses.” mckinleycapital.com

Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) is partnering with American Honda Motor Company to open three Authorized Honda Service Centers in rural Alaska. These first-of-a-kind service centers will be equipped with Honda-trained CVRF staff and original equipment manufacturer parts and tools. With staff’s ability to perform service and warranty work, residents will have access to faster repairs for their Honda ATVs and UTVs (side-by-sides) and experience tangible cost savings. coastalvillages.org