Inside Alaska Business
Alaska Growth Capital
Six Alaska Native entrepreneurs won business-boosting awards of up to $20,000 in the multi-region Alaska Marketplace business plan competition organized by Alaska Growth Capital in association with Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, and Aleut. Locked In Mobile Detailing and Burning Love Candles topped the Arctic Slope region; Camp Gibraltar near Kokhanok and K’s Cup Coffee Company in King Salmon were chosen for the Bristol Bay region; and Arlluk Charters in Chenega and Bering Home, an assisted living facility planned in Unalaska, won for the Aleut region.
The Side Quest
Games aren’t for sale, and coffee is limited, yet The Side Quest brings the board game café experience to Anchorage with a new shop near Midtown. Owner Chris Morlang was inspired by venues he saw while visiting South Korea. Guests borrow from his shelf of 250 games, pay a cover charge ($12 for adults, $6 for kids), and play at a table for as long as they wish. Morlang cuts the cover charge in half for customers who bring their own games. The shop on East 68th Avenue, near Putters Wild indoor minigolf, sells packaged snacks and drinks.
Delta Car Connection
Anchorage car dealership Delta Car Connection signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer. U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945, enabling small businesses to earn supplemental income as an affiliate of the national chain. Delta Car Connection offers U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies at its Dowling Road location. Delta Car Connection owner Pedro Hernandez says he is proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage.
Iglu Construction
A new subsidiary of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) through its UIC Commercial Services business line rounds out a design and construction division that already includes UIC Construction, UIC Nappairit, and UMIAQ Design. Headquartered on Arctic Spur Road in Anchorage, Iglu Construction focuses on vertical buildings along the road system. “Setting up Iglu Construction with a focus on road-system work fills a geographic gap in our service line and allows Iglu to focus solely on the core road corridor,” says Robbie Lynn, general manager of UIC Construction and now also in charge of Iglu.
R&M Consultants
Fresh from achieving Level 2 cybersecurity certification for federal contracts, R&M Consultants is expanding its Alaska footprint from three to four offices. The Wasilla office at 2002 East Bogard Road, Suite B, supports R&M’s engineering, planning, surveying, geosciences, environmental, and construction support services. Establishing a permanent presence in the Mat-Su improves local responsiveness, enhances collaboration with clients and partners, and positions the firm to better support infrastructure, land development, and community projects throughout the region, says CEO Len Story.
Alaska Commercial Company
Since late October, Alaska Commercial Company has been flying fruits and vegetables from Seattle directly to Nome, Dillingham, and King Salmon stores. Airborne produce is a test for the rural retailer. Flying the food is more expensive than the usual barge-based supply chain, but company president Kyle Hill expects the cost pencils out because of less spoilage and higher sales of fresher produce. If the test pans out, the company intends to make the flights permanent and expand to more of its forty statewide stores.
United Steelworkers
Workers at ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Kuparuk Unit and Colville River Unit (better known as Alpine) voted to unionize. The National Labor Relations Board counted 220 ballots from 242 eligible voters, and 165 employees voted in favor of representation by United Steelworkers. The new bargaining unit includes full-time and regular part-time operations and maintenance employees but not temporary employees, contractors, professional and managerial staff, or guards. If certified by the board, United Steelworkers could negotiate over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Alaskan Dream Cruises
Allen Marine is refocusing resources by shutting down its Sitka-based sightseeing venture, Alaskan Dream Cruises. Ending overnight voyages was “intentional and necessary” for the sustainability of the company, according to Allen Marine spokesperson Zak Kirkpatrick. Alaskan Dream Cruises operated four vessels that each carried between forty and eighty passengers. Kirkpatrick says Allen Marine is putting full attention on its founding strengths: day tours, shipyard operations, and marine services. He adds that Allen Marine won’t be hiring crew for overnight boats this season.
First National Bank Alaska
The best bank in the country, according to the 17th annual ranking by Forbes, is HBT Financial of Bloomington, Illinois. In second place, though, is First National Bank Alaska. The ranking of the 100 strongest banks compares factors such as profitability, credit quality, and efficiency ratio. First National is the only Alaskan-owned institution on the list, which ranges from the world’s largest bank, JPMorganChase at #40, to banks with barely more than half of First National’s $5.2 billion in assets. “This recognition is a tribute to the team of 633 Alaskans across the state who don’t show up every day to be simply average,” says Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer.