Inside Alaska business.

April 2017

DOYON UNIVERSAL SERVICES

On January 31, Sodexo acquired 100 percent of Doyon Universal Services, previously a Limited Liability Company between Sodexo and Doyon Limited.

Effective February 1, Doyon Universal Services will continue to serve its clients as a 100 percent Sodexo-owned business, focusing as always on supporting Alaskan Native outreach and employment as well as quality of life and safety for its employees and consumers. sodexo.com

ANCHORAGE SOLID WASTE SERVICES | ALASKA WASTE

Anchorage Solid Waste Services (SWS) and Alaska Waste announced the acceptance of additional #1 (PETE) plastic containers within curbside recycling. These new plastic items are containers for salad bars, fruits, vegetables, and clear cups. Sorting advancements in mixed recovery facilities have made the recycling of all #1 plastics feasible in Anchorage.

While all #1 plastics are accepted in curbside recycling, drop-off locations at the Anchorage Recycle Center, Central Transfer Station, and Anchorage Regional Landfill will only accept #1 bottles. Self-sorted PETE, such as bottles, are a distinct, higher value product grade for end use mills. muni.org/departments/sws | alaskawaste.net

ALASKA ACES

The ownership group of the Alaska Aces professional hockey organization has made the decision to cease operations at the end of this regular season and playoffs after fifteen seasons and three Kelly Cup championships. The team informed the ECHL of the decision and the league's Board of Governors has approved the request for Voluntary Suspension of operations. Aces management says as a result of the economic downturn, sponsorships are down $600,000, season ticket sales are down $262,000 and attendance is down about 1,500 spectators per game from just a couple seasons ago. The organization has lost more money this season than in the past two seasons combined and with thousands of job losses in Alaska and more likely to come, the team expects this downward trend to continue. alaskaaces.com

ARCTIC ECONOMIC COUNCIL

One month after applying to be an Arctic Economic Council (AEC) Northern Partner, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation's (ASRC) application has been unanimously approved. This makes ASRC the first organization in the Arctic with such a designation. There are various levels of membership at the AEC.

The application was reviewed by the AEC executive committee before being approved by governance committee members. Larger businesses with their headquarters located within an Arctic state may apply to join the AEC family as a Northern Partner. The AEC's full member representation includes a diverse collection of business industries that operate in and outside of the region.

The AEC was established by the Arctic Council during the 2013-2015 Canadian chairmanship as an independent organization aimed at facilitating Arctic business-to-business activities and responsible economic development. arcticeconomiccouncil.com

49TH STATE ANGEL FUND

The Municipality of Anchorage reignited the 49th State Angel Fund (49SAF) with a new director and a partnership to spur local economic development.

49SAF is a $13.2 million program funded by the US Department of Treasury dedicated to investing capital into local companies, with a goal of generating returns while encouraging local economic development. Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has brought back Joe Morrison, the fund's original lead staff, to stimulate investment.

49SAF has issued a $1.15 million investment...