ISER News and Announcements

How Do Higher Fuel Prices Affect Alaska’s Transportation System and Economy?

chris — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:57:55 +0000

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)

Economic Importance of the Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery

chris — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:07:42 +0000

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).

Northrim gives grant of $100,000 to ISER for ongoing research initiative, Investing for Alaska’s Future

chris — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:56:08 +0000

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.

Lunchtime Talk: Food For Fairbanks: Where Does It Come From?

chris — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:40:53 +0000

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)

How Much Do Natural Amenities Add to Residential Property Values in the Mat-Su Borough?

chris — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:02:26 +0000

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)

Wealth Management for the Owner State

chris — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:28:17 +0000

A presentation by Scott Goldsmith, professor emeritus of economics at ISER, to Commonwealth North, examining whether the state government is saving enough of its petroleum wealth to sustain economic prosperity into the future—and if the state isn’t saving enough, how it could.

Download the PDF (3.5MB)

2013 Alaska Construction Spending Forecast

chris — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:53:01 +0000

The estimated value of construction spending in Alaska in 2013 will be about $8.4 billion, up 8% from spending in 2012. That’s according to the 2013 Alaska Construction Spending Forecast, prepared by Scott Goldsmith and Mouhcine Guettabi of ISER for the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. More spending in the oil and gas sector will account for most of the growth. Also adding to expected growth in the coming year are a large state capital budget for fiscal year 2013 and $453 million in general obligation bonds voters approved for transportation projects in the November 2012 election.

Download the forecast (PDF, 971.4KB)

Trends in Alaska and World Salmon Markets

chris — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:27:27 +0000

Gunnar Knapp, ISER director and professor of economics, recently talked to the Alaska Legislature about trends in Alaska and world salmon markets. Read his presentation to learn about how salmon markets are changing, what’s driving the changes, and what the future might hold.

Download the PDF of his presentation (4.4MB).

Lunchtime Talk: Community Colleges—Opening or Closing Doors for Students?

chris — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:27:51 +0000

Joanna Karet is a new member of the research faculty at the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research, which was established as part of ISER in 2010. She will talk about her findings on whether attending two-year community colleges encourages or discourages students from going on to get four-year or advanced degrees. Existing qualitative research has indicated that attending community colleges causes many students to lower their goals. Dr. Karet has developed a quantitative model to predict educational achievement for students who begin their college education at two-year or four-year institutions.

When: Thursday, February 14, 12 to 1
Where: ISER Conference Room, Diplomacy Building, fifth floor

Download the pdf announcement (304KB)
Learn more about the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research

Download the PowerPoint Presentation (1.71MB)

Toward Universal Broadband in Rural Alaska

chris — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:10:20 +0000

A report on current Internet connectivity and access to and use of information and communication technologies in rural southwest Alaska is now available. This report, Toward Universal Broadband in Rural Alaska (PDF, 1.1MB), by Heather Hudson, professor of public policy at ISER, provides baseline data as a major project is extending broadband (high-speed Internet) to 65 communities in Southwest Alaska. The study also offers some insights about perceived benefits and potential barriers to adoption of broadband among residents of the region.