Looking out for business....

• Position: Article by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce addressing major issues on Alaska's business community - Part 4

Fourth in a series of articles by the Alaska State Chamber addressing issues of major importance to Alaska's business community

Each spring, following the adjournment of the Alaska State Legislature, the State Chamber's leaders travel to the Pacific Northwest to meet with the leaders of the chambers of commerce in Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma and Portland. Based on the recently concluded legislative actions/budgeting, and the resulting impact on Alaska's economic climate, present and future business opportunities are discussed, and formulation of action plans to maximize economic development is begun.

Over the years, these meetings have produced beneficial results for Alaskan businesses and industries by strengthening regional support of Alaskan issues. The lines of communication established by these annual visits have helped diffuse potential regional trade disputes and allowed the business relationship to flourish.

From the Klondike gold rush, through the military buildup of World War II and the petroleum era, the Puget Sound region has served as the supply center for Alaska's needs in goods and services and as the distribution point for national and world marketing of Alaska's products.

Last fall, a 1985 economic impact study, jointly sponsored by the Chamber's of Commerce of Seattle and Tacoma, was updated to determine the significance of the Alaska trade. According to 1994 data, Alaska-related direct and indirect impacts on the Puget Sound now account for over 90,000 jobs and nearly $3 billion in earnings - and a total economic output of well over $11 billion. This is an increase of 58 percent in the nine years since the last study.

The growth in business with Alaska in all sectors has been remarkable. The value of exports to Alaska has increased over 46 percent, to $2.39 billion. Service exports - specialized legal, accounting, financial, management, educational and medical service - have grown the most, by 180 percent. If Alaska were a separate...