September 27, 2024 — The Southeast Alaska Economic Summit and 66th Annual Meeting, ending today in Ketchikan, offered sobering YOY numbers on the seafood sector earlier this month.
Seafood processing job losses led the sectors that saw YOY drops in July 2024, down 300 compared to losses of 120 in state government, 100 in retail trade, 70 in health care, and 50 in transportation. Meanwhile, job numbers were up in construction and tourism (300 new jobs each this year), while increases were seen in government and financial/professional services.
Statewide job losses are seen along coastal communities across south-central Alaska with a modest overall rise in SE Alaska of 1.2%, while job increases were seen in the north (4.5%), Alaska’s Interior (2.9%), and in the Anchorage area (3%.) Overall job numbers dropped 3.7% YOY in Southwest Alaska, and 1.6% YOY in the Gulf Coast.
In April 2024, 440 Southeast Alaska business owners and top managers from 25 communities responded to Southeast Conference’s Business Climate Survey.