Top Business Stories 2017.

• Position: YEAR IN REVIEW

Despite significant challenges, many of Alaska's businesses, associations, nonprofits, and other economic drivers--from colossal industry players to one-employee entrepreneurial operations--kept a steady keel as they navigated tough terrain in 2017. Alaska Business has pulled together a few news highlights from 2017 in celebration of the drive, innovation, longevity, and commitment each of these operations.

Alaska LNG

In November Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed the five-party joint development agreement for the Alaska liquefied natural gas (Alaska LNG) project. This historic signing is the most significant step toward finally monetizing Alaska's vast resources of natural gas. President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping were present for the signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, underscoring the international importance of the agreement.

Chugach | ML&P | MEA

Three of Alaska's Railbelt electric utilities signed an agreement to collectively utilize their generation and transmission assets to benefit tens of thousands of customers. The Power Pooling and Joint Dispatch Agreement, signed by Chugach Electric Association, Municipal Light & Power, the Municipality of Anchorage, and Matanuska Electric Association, was filed with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.

Vigor | Maritime Works

Vigor and Maritime Works jointly announced an innovative training program aimed at developing an advanced manufacturing workforce comprised of Alaska residents. Advancing Alaskan Workers is essential to combatting the high turnover rates seen at the Ketchikan shipyard and elsewhere that result when non-Alaskans are recruited to fill critical skills gaps in state, the companies say. The Advancing Alaskan Workers project offers structured on-the-job training, leading to industry-recognized credentials and family wage careers.

Ahtna

Ahtna concluded operations on the Tolsona No. 1 gas exploration well after completion of the initial flow testing. All personnel, equipment, and materials were successfully demobilized from the drilling site, the well was suspended and all that remains is the well head.

Alaska Aces

The ownership group of the Alaska Aces professional hockey organization ceased operations after fifteen seasons and three Kelly Cup championships. Aces management said as a result of the economic downturn, sponsorships were down $600,000, season ticket sales were down $262,000, and attendance was down about 1,500 spectators per game from just a couple of seasons ago. The organization lost more money in its final season than in the past two seasons combined and the team expected the downward trend to continue.

Repsol | Armstrong

Repsol and partner Armstrong Energy made the largest US onshore conventional hydrocarbons discovery in Alaska in thirty years. The Horseshoe-1 and -1A wells drilled during the...