INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS.

Tongass Federal Credit Union

Two institutions that span Southeast Alaska are now one. Tongass Federal Credit Union (TFCU) merged with ALPS Federal Credit Union, keeping the TCFU name. The organization combines assets worth $233.4 million serving 13,163 members with eight branches (Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg, Metlakatla, Klawock, Wrangell, Haines, and Juneau) and four community microsites (Thome Bay, Hydaburg, Kake, Hoonah). TFCU President and CEO Helen Mickel continues to lead the merged credit union. tongassfcu.com

Alaska Commercial Co.

The Point Hope Native Store (PHNS) is becoming the thirty-sixth Alaska Commercial Company (AC) location in the state and the chain's third store in the North Slope Borough. Tikigaq, the village corporation for Point Hope, has been operating the PHNS but is handing over the store to AC. Throughout 2023, AC plans to invest in renovations, such as added refrigeration to expand the availability of fresh food, while planning for construction of a new grocery store in Point Hope. alaskacommercial.com

Three Bears Alaska

Every Alaska resident is part owner of the Three Bears Alaska supermarket chain, through an investment by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. Most of the fund's earnings come from out-of-state assets, but managers set aside $200 million in 2018 to boost in-state businesses. Last year, Three Bears received a capital injection from a Seattle-based private equity firm, and recent reporting found that the firm was handling the Permanent Fund's money. Other Alaska companies receiving Permanent Fund capital include All Alaska Tours, Fleetzero electric cargo ships, and Macro Oceans seaweed products. threebearsalaska.com

PacBak

Anglers in need of an all-in-one cooler can find an Alaskan solution at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's. The national chains reached a distribution deal with PacBak, maker of the P88-MK Cooler/ROAM 18-V Vacuum Sealer Combo invented by Brian McKinnon of Wasilla. The invention already had national distribution through Army Air Force Exchange Stores. The deal with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's puts PacBak in 177 locations, starting with Alaska stores this month. pacbak.com

Alaska Behavioral Health

Alaska Behavioral Health is opening a new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) near downtown Wasilla. CCBHCs offer crisis services, screening and evaluation, outpatient mental health, primary care screening and monitoring, client-centered treatment planning, targeted case...