February 21, 2012

To: Senate President Gary Stevens

Re: Timeline for Action on Oil/Gas Tax Bill

Dear Senator Stevens,

Thank you for your commitment to have an oil & gas tax bill through the State Senate and to the House by March 15. Your announcement and commitment from the Senate is truly appreciated. Thank you for your leadership on Senate activities this session to help Alaska achieve a more competitive tax status to encourage new oil and gas production.

The following associations are composed of various industry groups, including both large and small businesses and individuals throughout Alaska. We respectfully request a schedule and the respective deadlines for both the Resource and Finance Committees that culminate in Senate floor action on oil and gas tax legislation in mid March. Our members have asked for the information on schedules, so that they can plan for, and actively participate in, sharing their individual perspectives on the economic future for Alaska.

We look forward to sharing schedule information with our members.

Respectfully,

Rachael Petro, President/CEO
Alaska State Chamber of Commerce

Jeanine St.John, Executive Director
Make Alaska Competitive Coalition

Scott Hawkins, Chairman
ProsperityAlaska.org

Aves Thompson, Executive Director
Alaska Trucking Association

Steve Pratt, President
Consumer Energy Alliance-Alaska

Suzanne Armstrong, President & CEO
Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska

Rick Rogers, Executive Director
Resource Development Council

Lisa Herbert, Executive Director
Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce

Fred Parady, Executive Director
Alaska Miners’ Association

Sami Glascott, President
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

From Left to Right: Greg Bringhurst, Chad Schumaker, Jonathan Huff

Earlier this month, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce staff member Greg Bringhurst, Advocacy and Public Affairs Director, was given a tour of a pellet fuel manufacturing plant located in North Pole, Alaska.  Superior Pellet Fuels, LLC joined the Chamber in 2011, shortly after the plant opened its doors. The tour was guided by Chad Schumacher, General Manager of the locally owned and operated plant.

In September 2011, the Board of Directors of the Fairbanks Chamber adopted “reducing the high cost of energy” as its number one priority for 2012.  Bringhurst said, “The potential that pellets have of reducing our local residents and businesses space heating costs is of great benefit to our community.”  The source of wood pellets is renewable each year which helps to create a stable heating source. And since the price of pellets is not subject to world affairs and foreign price setting, it remains a cost-effective heating choice.

Owners, Deb and Dale Rich understand the importance of having a clean fuel source available to Alaskans, especially for areas of the state struggling to meet federally mandated air quality standards.  Currently, several areas of the Borough have been deemed to be “non-attainment” for PM2.5 by the Enivronmental Protection Agency.

The pellet plant is conveniently located off the Richardson Highway just minutes from Fairbanks.  Chad Schumacher encourages Chamber members to visit the new facility to learn more about the benefits of heating with bio-fuels.

Bringhurst also said, “it was great to see the ”Made in Alaska” stamp on the packaging.” The pellet mill utilizes wood waste streams from local sawmills, land clearing projects, and fire breaks set by forest management in the state as the primary raw material supply.

Chamber member Jonathan Huff, owner of Alaska Universal Productions also attended the tour.

For more information from Superior Pellet Fuels, LLC call 907.488.6055.

February 13, 2012

Senator Joe Paskvan
AK State Capitol, Room #7
Juneau, AK 99801

Re: Support for Senate Bill 101

Dear Senator Paskvan:

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce represents over 700 businesses and organizations throughout the Interior of Alaska by advocating on behalf of the business community to ensure that Fairbanks and the State of Alaska offer a stable business environment for our members. Additionally, the Chamber monitors regulations that are imposed upon the business community that may impact our members’ ability to operate efficiently, and therefore offer our support of Senate Bill 101 as a means to help streamline government regulation of business.

SB 101 will create the necessary legal framework to ease corporate transactions between different types of limited liability entities. As an example, under current law, corporate transactions which involve the merger or conversion of a limited liability company require additional steps that add unnecessary cost and complexity to the business.

The conditions under the current law in Alaska have led some of our members to form limited liability companies in states such as Delaware, where the law provides clarity around such transactions. The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce believes that SB101 will improve the business climate in Alaska and will help reduce unnecessary administrative and legal burdens currently imposed on Alaska companies.

Respectfully submitted,
GREATER FAIRBANKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lorna Shaw                             Lisa Herbert
Board of Directors, Chair           Executive Director

Fairbanks Chamber Letter of Support for SB 101
Review Senate Bill 101 Online

The Chamber’s “Member of the Month” Award program recognizes and honors businesses for their outstanding efforts in promoting a healthy, economic environment and for promoting the greater Fairbanks area as a great place for business and community.  Arctic Travelers Gift Shop was named the “February Chamber Member of the Month” on Tuesday, February 7^th at the Chamber’s General Membership Luncheon Meeting that was held at the Carlson Center.

The “Member of the Month” award is a new program at the Chamber that seeks to promote businesses or organizations that uphold the mission and values of the Chamber, model high ethical standards, practice excellent customer service, volunteer in the community and are socially responsible, committed to local economic growth, and supportive of greater Fairbanks residents and businesses.

Arctic Travelers Gift Shop has a rich history in Downtown Fairbanks and has been featured several travel guides and is a hot spot for locals and tourists alike.  When Angelika Krinner, gift shop owner, purchased the business in 2006, one of her first acts was ensuring that the gift shop was a member of their local Chamber of Commerce because she believes that the Chamber is one of her best advocates.  With a Downtown location, the business volunteers in several of the major downtown events and attractions, including the Midnight Sun Festival, the Yukon Quest and the Golden Days celebration – in fact, the Gift Shop is one the Chamber’s top ticket outlets for the annual Rubber Duckie Race.

Krinner believes in showcasing the creative talent we have in our community and is proud to say that the majority of her stock features the works of many local artists. “Investing in the Arts is one of the best ways that I can give back to my community,” says Krinner.

In addition to the store’s support and involvement in community activities, Arctic Travelers Gift Shop financially contributes to a few local non-profit organizations such as Love Inc., Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption, and Fairbanks Youth Soccer Association.  The Gift Shop is also a proud supporter of our military and recognizes the important contribution that the military brings to the Fairbanks economy. Krinner said, “I’m proud to offer a military discount to active duty and retired military, as well as their families for all that they sacrifice to protect our nation’s freedom.”

Those interested in nominating a business or organization for the “Member of the Month” should contact Wendie MacNaughton, Membership Coordinator, at (907) 374-6704.

Honorable Governor Sean Parnell
Alaska State Capitol
PO Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001

RE:          Request for Immediate Funding to Hire Military Consultant

Dear Governor Parnell:

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce applauds you for your rapid response to the recent United States Department of Defense’s (DoD) announcement for a force reduction throughout all 50 states and a request for a Base Realignment and Closure Commission from Congress. We would like to take this opportunity to respectfully request for immediate action to taken to secure the significant role that the military plays in the Alaskan economy. 

We appreciate the $300,000 budget request that has been put forward to the Alaska Legislature, however we feel that timing is of the essence and would like to request that the funds to hire an experienced consulting group to promote the advantages our great state has to offer our military, which include strategic positioning, mission capabilities, and training opportunities, unequaled to other US locations, be appropriated from the discretionary fund.  

It can only be assumed that other states throughout the nation are also preparing to address potential installation realignments and closures and will seek to engage with the best consultants available. To ensure that Alaska’s strategic advantages are advocated for by the most qualified BRAC consultants, we urge the State of Alaska to act immediately to secure existing and future economies of Alaska.       

We thank you for your continued support of our local military service men and women, and their families, and look forward to working with the Administration, Alaska Legislature and the Congressional Delegation to secure our military installations throughout Alaska.   

Sincerely,

GREATER FAIRBANKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lorna Shaw                             Lisa Herbert                    Steve Lundgren
Board of Directors, Chair           Executive Director           Military Affairs, Chair

Download the PDF: Letter of Support for Immediate Action for Military

Some notable projects Design Alaska has been responsible for over the years and with which you are probably familiar include master planning for Alaskaland – now known as Pioneer Park, the Federal Building on 12th Avenue, the Teamsters Building on the Old Richardson Highway – now the home of The Alaska Club, the Big Dipper Ice Arena, UAF’s Butrovich Building, North Pole High School, the Doyon Ltd Headquarters Building on the Chena River next to the Immaculate Conception Church, and UAF’s Community and Technical College facility on Barnett Street.

Design Alaska is a proud recipient of Fairbanks North Star Borough’s Family Friendly Workplace Award given to those businesses that show exceptional respect for employee’s families; the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce’s Business in Arts Award and the Mayors of Interior Alaska Mayors’ Awards for the Arts, for exhibiting an unusual level of commitment to the local artistic community; and most recently the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers’ Outstanding Corporate Service to the Engineering Community Award for the entire Western Region of the United States, beating out such high profile competition as GCI, AT&T, and Google.

Design Alaska’s passion for a robust artistic community is well known. Design Alaska also has a passion for our environment. Design Alaska was the first private business in Fairbanks to receive the Green Star Award for environmental consciousness, and is currently working with Green Star in support of their Electronic Recycling Center and their Fairbanks Recycling Guide. Design Alaska has set up an employee recycling center at their office and each month collects and recycles about four tons of paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass that would otherwise go to the landfill. And as part of their School Business Partnership with Pearl Creek Elementary School, last year Design Alaska purchased 35 three compartment sets of recycling bins for use at the school, one for every classroom, to facilitate their efforts to reinforce the importance of recycling in their students.

Jack Wilbur, who has worked for Design Alaska since 1975 and has been its President since 1995, believes that there is no better place to live and raise a family than Fairbanks and that being a good corporate citizen is vital to the health of our community.

FAIRBANKS CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2012 EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS IN THE FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer a $1,000 scholarship to Fairbanks North Star Borough high school graduating seniors that plan to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) or UAF Community and Technical College in the fall of 2012. 

Each year, the GFCC’s Education Committee awards at least one, $1,000 scholarship to encourage graduating seniors to pursue future education and career opportunities in the greater Fairbanks area.  Kurt Newman, co-chairman of the committee, says, “As an organization that advocates on behalf of the business community, this scholarship is an excellent way to support workforce development and to ensure that our community has future prepared and talented business leaders.”

In support of the business community, and in recognition of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s effort to hire and retain highly qualified teachers, preference will be given to applicants interested in obtaining an education or business related degree.

“The Chamber’s commitment to invest in the higher education of our high school graduates is further evidence of its commitment to advocate for a healthy economic environment,” said Bill Bailey, director of public relations for the school district. “Clearly, our business community values K-12 education, workforce development, and higher learning.”

The application can be submitted electronically at fairbankschamber.org/scholarship. Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a Fairbanks Chamber member) and an official transcript must accompany the application to be considered.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must meet all stated requirements and complete and return the application by 5PM on March 2, 2012. Questions regarding the scholarship should be directed to Michelle Gibson at the Chamber Office at (907) 374.6705.

### 

For more information, please contact Lisa Herbert, Executive Director at 374-6706  lisa@fairbankschamber.org. 

The Chamber’s Education Committee is supported in part by:
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
BP
Birchwood Homes
Carlson Center,
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Denali State Bank
Doyon Limited
ExxonMobil
Flint Hills Resources
Fred Meyer Stores
Mt. McKinley Bank
Wells Fargo Bank