Alaska's top 49ers: still growing strong: stability and growth key to these Alaskan-owned and -operated companies.

• Author: Cutler, Debbie
• Position: 2010 Alaska's Top 49ers: Still Growing Strong - Column

As I sit in my office on one of the season's few sunny days, I think about the summer of rain, and also how it poured down in torrents of bad news economically around the world the past few years.

Fear is running rampant about the future of the great U.S. and the future of Alaska, especially as oil volume trickles to a third of what it once was, and new developments appear halted by high State taxes, regulations and environmental disasters in other parts of the world, such as the Gulf of Mexico.

Yet there is reason to celebrate. Much reason indeed.

A headline on the front page of the Anchorage Daily News website states "Alaska's economy fares better than most." With unemployment rates at 7.7 percent this summer, we were a good two percentage points below the national average. Usually, we are above the norm due to the seasonal nature of many of our industries.

And on KTUU's website, this same day, there is a report rifled "Alaska banks say deposits are on the rise." Also news for optimism, as is the state's low foreclosure rate and an increase in mortgage volume.

And here at ABM, we have our own good news to share.

Alaska Business Monthly this month recognizes for the 26th consecutive year the Top 49 Alaskan-owned and -operated companies, dubbed the Top 49ers, this year based on 2009 gross revenues. These are companies that are Still Growing Strong.

Fantastic news glistens and glitters and gleams from data provided by the corporations as well.

* Last year three companies topped the $1 billion mark. This year five hold that distinction.

* To make the Top 49er list last year, a company had to have minimum 2008 gross revenues of $50.5 million. This year the bar has raised to nearly $55 million. The cutoff the year before was $43 million.

* Total 2009 revenue for the Top 49 companies was $14.5 billion. Last year 2008 gross revenue totals were $13.8 billion.

* Only 12 of the Top 49ers had revenues of less than $100 million. Last year the number of companies with total gross revenues under $100 million was 14.

OTHER FACTS OF INTEREST

* Last year 43 percent of the list represented Native corporations. This year it's nearly 45 percent.

* Of the 49 companies represented here, 37 saw an increase or no change in revenue from 2008 to 2009. Range of growth went from 0 percent to 619 percent (see related story why CIRI's revenue jumped so high). Last year 36 saw an increase in revenue.

* This year 12 companies saw a decrease in revenue, ranging from -5...