AIDEA receives upgraded rating.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Inside Alaska Business

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority recently received an upgraded rating from Standard & Poor (S&P), going from an "A-" to an "A." With its existing A2 rating from Moody's, the equivalent of an "A" rating from S&P, AIDEA is now firmly in the middle of the "A" range with both rating agencies, officials said.

Gov. Frank H. Murkowski praised AIDEA and its board of directors. "The higher rating is evidence that AIDEA has been doing a good job diversifying and increasing its portfolio for the health of future investment-making potential," he said.

S&P's rationale stated that the new rating reflects that AIDEA...