Alaska's Top Business Stories of 2001.

• Author: Campbell, Melissa

Alaskans were confident about the state's economy and its businesses for most of the year. The job market was tight, new buildings went up across the state and people had money to spend.

But all that changed on Sept. 11, as we watched in horror the attacks on America's economic and governmental centers. Our rattled confidence continues to be shaken as fears, and confirmations, of bioterrorism hit the airwaves.

The nation's economic outlook is uncertain for the coming months, but state economists predict Alaska's geographic isolation to the rest of the nation will soften the economic impacts to most industries here.

Some industries in Alaska likely will be affected by the attacks. Tourism, already facing flat numbers this summer, can only guess what next year will bring. One marketing director privately said making up next year's budget was like throwing darts at a board of numbers.

Other industries continued to struggle: Forest areas were forced to remain roadless, commercial fishing was dismal and there still is no real end in sight in the debate for the gas pipeline or drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Here is a rundown of a few of Alaska's top business stories of 2001. We may not have seen it on our bank statements, but a lot of new money flowed through Alaska this year.

In September, state economists announced that Alaska again was No. 1 in per capita federal spending in 2000. The state ranked No. 5 in 1998 on the spending list, jumping to the top in 1999. The federal government sent to the Northern state $9,496 for every human here, bringing $5.9 billion to the Alaska economy this year. This was a 40 percent increase from spending in 1995, according to Alaska Economic Trends, a publication put out by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Virginia followed a far second on the list with $8,859 in per capita spending, while the U.S. average is $5,740.

This whirlwind of funds is largely attributed to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who some watchdog groups say put the "pork" in pork barrel spending. Stevens is known for tacking money earmarked for Alaska projects onto bills moving through the Senate. The money financed and created hundreds of jobs for such things as construction and research conducted this year.

While it wasn't another record-breaking year, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend check added a hefty sum to Alaskans' bank accounts. At a near record of $1,850, the dividend is always a welcome gift from the state, and comes just in time for the holiday shopping season. This year, checks were deposited a month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Retailers wonder if Alaskans will get out and spend this holiday season. The numbers will be out after the new year.

And within five months, Cook Inlet Region Inc. shareholders received checks totaling more than what the average wage-holder makes in two years. Last December, CIRI distributed $50,000-tax free to the original descendents of the corporation-to the average shareholder with 100 shares of stock. In May, those with 100 shares received a dividend of $15,029, this time in taxable income. It was like winning the lottery for some shareholders, who reportedly rushed out to buy trucks, homes and expensive toys, such as snowmachines and four-wheelers. Shareholders treated themselves to special things, but many also put money into savings accounts and paid bills or college tuition.

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