History of the Alaska Committee
The Alaska Committee has been in continuous existence since 1882 and is the longest-standing continuous organization to work with the Alaska business community.
The Alaska Committee is comprised of more than a hundred major Seattle-based businesses with interests in Alaska. Major sectors include transportation (air, surface, water), manufacturing, seafood catchers/processors, hospitality/leisure industries, banking/insurance/law, wholesale and retail distributors, media/communications, non-profit associations and public sector entities. A directory of our members is available for distribution.
Alaska's Economic Impact on the Puget Sound Region
In 1988 the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce - together with a consortium of business groups - commisioned an analysis that estimated Alaska's impact on the Puget Sound economy. At that time, the study found that these ties accounted for 50,000 jobs and $2 billion of annual business activity. An updated study using 1994 data increased those figures to over 90,000 jobs and $3 billion in earnings.
Indications are that the scope and scale of this trading relationship will continue to change. New research, to be released mid-2004, will track the extent of change as well as determine benchmarks that define the trading connection. This report also wll examine the impact of various development scenarios including the potential economic implications for Puget Sound companies from the construction of a natural gas pipeline, the effect of recent growth and diversification of Alaska Native corporations, and the impact of growth forecasts for the cruise ship industry.
This study has been a valuable resource for business planning and an important educational tool for public officials and the press who cover economic issues. The Alaska Committee looks forward to gathering and sharing the new data with people in both Alaska and Puget Sound who are interested in strengthening the ties between our two regions.
It is the active participation of our committee members that makes our programs a success. For more information about the Alaska Committee, Chamber membership, to attend events, or receive a complimentary copy of the membership directory contact Ann Reid.
Click here to visit the Alaska State Chamber's website