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AIDEA approves $22.8M in loans for Wrangell Deepwater Port and Shipyard, matching a $43.1M federal award

The AIDEA board approved a $22.8 million financing package so the City and Borough of Wrangell can leverage its $43.1 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. The award includes $31.2 million to redevelop Wrangell's former timber mill property into a maritime industry hub. The package is a $15 million loan for design and permitting and a $7.8 million loan for the required nonfederal match, subject to terms negotiated between AIDEA Executive Director Randy Ruaro and the borough.

Wrangell's assembly voted to name the site the Frank H. Murkowski Deepwater Port of Wrangell. JAG Marine, which operates the Ketchikan Shipyard that AIDEA owns, is partnering with AIDEA and Wrangell. AIDEA says the investment complements Ketchikan Shipyard expansion and aims to keep vessel repair work in Alaska.

Why it matters. AIDEA is again supplying the nonfederal match that turns a federal award into a buildable project, this time for a deepwater port and shipyard. Marine, civil and waterfront contractors in Southeast should expect design and permitting work first, then construction. The state lender's strong net income suggests it can keep matching federal money.

Alina Rubeo, new Wasilla mayor, lists water-system link, airport expansion and sewage plant upgrade among projects to finish

The Mat-Su Sentinel profiles new Wasilla Mayor Alina Rubeo, who won a three-way race last month and replaces term-limited Glenda Ledford. She says she wants to close out open projects, including an effort to connect Wasilla's water system to Palmer's, the Nunley Park overhaul begun about two years ago, and repairs to the train depot. She also plans to finish Ledford's airport expansion and sewage treatment plant upgrade.

DNR extends bid deposit and signed bid form deadline to Nov. 18 for Beaufort Sea and North Slope areawide lease sales

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, posted a supplemental notice extending the deadline to settle bid deposit wire transfers and to submit signed bid forms to 2 p.m. November 18, 2026.

The extension covers three competitive oil and gas lease sales: Beaufort Sea Areawide 2026W, North Slope Areawide 2026W and North Slope Foothills Areawide 2026. The feed summary says the original sale dates were set in the Sale Announcement and Instructions to Bidders issued September 28.

Paul Patkotak and Jake Bellinger named Operations Managers at UIC Oil & Gas Support, Deadhorse

UIC Oil & Gas Support, a subsidiary of UIC Commercial Services within Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation, says it has named Paul Patkotak and Jake Bellinger Operations Managers at its Deadhorse facility. They will work opposite rotations so an experienced manager is always on site. The company says the facility handles oilfield support, heavy haul on the Prudhoe Bay road system, North Slope logistics, and summer and winter tundra travel.

GCI completes acquisition of Quintillion, bringing 1,800+ miles of Alaska fiber under one operator

GCI Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: GLIBA, GLIBK), announced that it has completed its acquisition of Q Gateway Intermediate Holdings, LLC (Quintillion), an Alaska fiber infrastructure provider. The announcement went out on Business Wire and on the GCI and Liberty Capital newsrooms. AOL carried the same release.

GCI says the deal brings Quintillion's more than 1,800 miles of existing subsea and terrestrial fiber and about 1,500 miles of planned fiber expansion into GCI's statewide network under one operational framework. It says this will improve coordinated planning, monitoring, maintenance and restoration. Billy Wailand, GCI's Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, said the combined networks will increase routing diversity and support greater reliability across Alaska.

Why it matters. The close puts the Arctic subsea and long-haul route under the same owner as Alaska's largest carrier. Carriers, ISPs and anchor institutions that buy middle-mile capacity from Quintillion now deal with GCI, a competitor in retail markets. Quintillion's grant-funded expansion projects, about 1,500 miles of planned fiber, now sit with GCI. Rivals, rural customers and regulators will watch whether routing diversity improves as promised and whether wholesale terms change.

Susannah Scholl, formerly of GCI, named Chief Information Officer at Credit Union 1

Credit Union 1 hired Susannah Scholl as Chief Information Officer to lead its IT strategy and operations. The article says she has a long tenure with GCI, where her background includes leading technology teams. CU1 President and CEO Mark Burgess praised her technology experience and Alaska knowledge. The story is about a credit union hire; the telecom link is her GCI background.

Weeks before Alaska gets a new governor, AIDEA goes on a spending spree of more than $200 million

The Anchorage Press, via KTOO, reports that AIDEA announced more than $200 million in spending decisions since August, weeks before Gov. Dunleavy leaves office. Items include a $25 million equity investment in NuCube Energy (already committed), authority to move up to $75 million to a new broadband subsidiary (not yet committed), up to $10 million for a stake in GeoAlaska, an estimated $86 million for preliminary work on the 211-mile Ambler Road (including $50 million previously authorized), and more than $50 million in cash and loans for Wrangell and Ketchikan shipyard projects. On Nov. 9 AIDEA launched an investment platform run by a new subsidiary, Alaska Data Corp., with San Francisco-based Plural, to finance data centers and other infrastructure; it lists no offerings yet.

AIDEA is also preparing to explore for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge starting as soon as January if permits come through, and says it will incur significant financial impact if it must end the program after Nov. 29. AIDEA is self-funded, separate from the state operating fund, and pays an annual dividend to the state, about $15 million this year. Kreiss-Tomkins, set to take office Dec. 7, has said he would 'completely reassess' AIDEA and likely change its leadership. Rep. Ashley Carrick, a Fairbanks Democrat, voiced concern about the direction of the corporation.

Why it matters. AIDEA money is a large public funding channel for contractors in mining roads, shipyards, broadband and data centers. Commitments made before Dec. 7 may face review under the new governor, so vendors and partners should weigh the timing and the leadership risk.

Alaska Judicial Council nominates Kevin Higgins and Margaret McWilliams for Juneau District Court; Gov. Dunleavy has 45 days to appoint

After taking public comment Monday, the Alaska Judicial Council voted on two applicants for the Juneau District Court seat left open when Judge Kirsten Swanson retired Sept. 30. Kevin Higgins, an assistant attorney general with the Department of Law, got four yeses and two nos. Margaret McWilliams, deputy director of the Office of Public Advocacy, got five yeses and one no. Both were nominated.

Gov. Dunleavy proclaims Nov. 9–13, 2026 as Veterans Small Business Week in Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proclaimed November 9–13, 2026 as Veterans Small Business Week in Alaska. The proclamation cites over 1.6 million veteran-owned small businesses across the United States and says National Veterans Small Business Week highlights programs and services available to veteran entrepreneurs through the U.S. Small Business Administration and its resource partners.

The proclamation says Alaska joins the national effort to help veteran entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their small businesses. It encourages Alaskans to recognize veteran entrepreneurs' contributions and to buy goods and services from their businesses. It sets no funding and no new program.

Why it matters. The week falls inside the reporting window and gives veteran-owned Alaska firms a prompt to use SBA and resource-partner services. The proclamation is ceremonial and carries no money.

Marnie Stewart named Program Manager for Education and Leadership at Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce has hired Marnie Stewart as Program Manager for Education and Leadership, Alaska Business Magazine reports. The program covers member training, including the monthly Chamber Academy seminars and workshops on business practices, and oversees the Anchorage ATHENA Society annual leadership awards.

State health officials tell lawmakers 775 noncitizens lost Alaska Medicaid on Oct. 1; six-month renewals and work rules follow in seven weeks

The Alaska Department of Health told the Joint House and Senate Health and Social Services Committee on Tuesday that federal H.R. 1 changes are already cutting coverage. About 195,400 Alaskans are on Medicaid. On Oct. 1, roughly 775 noncitizens (refugees, asylees, people with temporary protected status, trafficking victims, and Ukrainian and Afghan parolees) were disenrolled, more than 400 of them children. Deputy Director Emily Ricci said the numbers are not final because people have 90 days to document a changed status.

Three more changes arrive in seven weeks: shorter retroactive coverage, six-month renewal periods and work and community engagement requirements. About 40,000 more Alaskans will move to six-month renewals, and the state estimates 12,850 expansion enrollees must prove they work, volunteer or qualify for an exemption. Alaskans who lose coverage over the work rules cannot get marketplace subsidies. Alaska has asked to delay the work requirement to 2028 and has not had a reply. Ricci said no solid plan exists for people who lose coverage, though the state is looking at CHIP-related options for pregnant women and children.

Why it matters. Providers, tribal health organizations and clinics should plan for rising uninsured volume and heavier eligibility paperwork from January. Six-month renewals mean more churn and uncompensated care. A state ask for a 2028 delay is unanswered, so the timeline could still shift.

Dr. Allison Kelliher, Director of TCC's Indigenous Healing Program, named President of the Association of American Indian Physicians

TCC's own newsroom says Dr. Allison Kelliher, a Koyukon Athabascan physician and traditional healer who directs the Indigenous Healing Program at the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center, took over as President of the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP). She assumed the role at AAIP's 54th Annual Meeting and Health Conference in September.

State gives public notice of intent to approve merger of People's Bank of Commerce into Northrim Bank

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, through its Division of Banking and Securities, has posted a public notice that it intends to approve the merger of People's Bank of Commerce, Medford, Oregon, with and into Northrim Bank, Anchorage, Alaska.

The notice says an application of merger has been filed and that the Division intends to approve it.

Northrim Bank promotes Jaime Kissner to SVP Lending Team Lead in Juneau and names Marita Grozier Lake Otis branch manager

Northrim President and CEO Mike Huston announced several promotions and one new branch manager in a release posted October 29, 2026. Jaime Kissner, with Northrim since 2019, becomes SVP and Lending Team Lead, a newly created role managing a team of lenders in Juneau and working with business clients on customized financing.

Commentary: Permitting bill BAAJA would strip Tribal and Alaska Native Corporation consultation rights, writer says

A commentary in the Alaska Beacon argues that the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), introduced as S. 5653 on Sept. 30, 2026, undermines Tribal sovereignty and the rights of Alaska Native Corporations while weakening environmental laws and limiting public input. The writer says the bill advanced without formal review by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

The piece says Division B, Title III (Historic Preservation) strips most protections for consultation with Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Corporations on sacred sites and cultural properties. It says a substitute manager's amendment was released Nov. 7, and that on Nov. 9 the Senate voted on cloture on the motion to proceed under H.R. 2347. Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan both voted yes on cloture.

Why it matters. Consultation rights on cultural properties shape how ANC land and project work, including resource and infrastructure projects, gets permitted. A fast-moving bill that narrows those rights could change project timelines and leverage for corporations and their development partners.

Trevor Crosby promoted to General Manager of UIC Environmental Solutions, new UIC Commercial Services company

UIC Commercial Services, part of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation, has created UIC Environmental Solutions. The new company focuses on contaminated site management, remediation, and spill prevention and response. Its team developed these service lines inside sister company UMIAQ Environmental.