From the editor.

• Author: Harrington, Susan
• Position: Editorial

Happy New Year! We asked leaders across Alaska for their comments on the economic outlook for 2017, and the common theme is an optimistic outlook as long as there is proper legislative action taken and diversification of the economy. Alaska Business Monthly believes "Alaska Can Do It," and we're confident the business community will prosper. We begin the magazine with the 2017 Economic Outlook, which starts with an insider's expertise, continues with comments from a couple dozen other Alaskan leaders, and ends with a view from Outside by an economist who is very familiar with Alaska.

Dave Harbour, longtime state leader, is someone who knows Alaska and the workings of government, industry, and the economy inside and out. Harbour is a former chairman of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and director of external affairs for ARCO, the Arctic Gas project, and AGDC. He is former Chairman of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Council on Economic Education, and...