Alaska relies much more on air and water transportation than the Lower 48 states do, so it’s especially vulnerable to the kinds of fuel price spikes that happened in mid-2008 and again between 2009 and 2010. A new report analyzes how higher fuel prices affect the costs of transportation in the state and work their way through the economy. It is the first study of this kind for Alaska. The authors are ISER economists Ginny Fay, Tobias Schwörer, Mouhcine Guettabi, and Jeffrey Armagost.

Read the summary (PDF, 1.1MB) or full report (PDF, 2.8MB)

A new report by ISER economists Gunnar Knapp, Mouhcine Guettabi, and Scott Goldsmith assesses the economic importance of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, the world’s most valuable wild salmon fishery. Nearly half the wild sockeye salmon harvested worldwide come from Bristol Bay. The researchers found that as of 2010, Bristol Bay salmon created $1.5 billion in sales value across the United States—through harvesting, processing, and retailing of Bristol Bay salmon—and the additional economic effects of those activities. The fishery supports 12,000 seasonal jobs in fishing and processing in Alaska—the equivalent of 2,000 year-round jobs—and about 8,000 additional jobs, across multiple states and in multiple industries. The research was funded by the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association.

Download the summary (PDF, 372.3KB) or full report (PDF, 2.9MB).

In early April, Northrim Bank made a grant of $100,000 to ISER for its ongoing research initiative, Investing for Alaska’s Future. Northrim has now granted ISER a total of $1 million for this research, which is examining the importance of investment for building a strong Alaska economy. Scott Goldsmith, professor emeritus of economics at ISER, directs the initiative. The photo shows (left to right) Tom Case, UAA chancellor; Scott Goldsmith; Marc Langland, chairman, Northrim; and Joe Beedle, president, Northrim.

To learn more about Investing for Alaska and research so far, click here.

Come to ISER and hear Ken Meter, one of the most experienced food-systems analysts in the country, talk about his recent his recent study of the food economy in Fairbanks and nearby areas. He has studied food systems in 30 states, and has long advocated community-based food systems as one way for communities to sustain themselves over the long run. He is president of Crossroads Resource Center, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis that works with communities around the country.

When: Thursday, March 14, 12 to 1
Where: ISER conference room, Diplomacy Building, fifth floor

Download the announcement (PDF, 200KB)

In a new analysis, Matthew Berman and Jeffrey Armagost of ISER estimate that natural amenities—mainly salmon streams and lakes but also public parks and other protected areas—contribute roughly 37% of the total $7 billion in appraised value of vacant land and residential property in the Mat-Su Borough. The analysis is based on characteristics of residential parcels (both vacant land and land with cabins or houses) sold in the borough in 2009 and 2010. The work was supported by The Nature Conservancy, the Bullitt Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Download the report (PDF, 274KB)