Homer Alaska - Business

Economists see fair outlook for 2012, but forecast for following year on the dark side
Jonathan King, senior economist at Northern Economics, an Anchorage-based consulting firm, presented the Alaska portion of the World Trade Center Alaska's annual economic outlook presentation Jan. 18, along with Wells Fargo Bank's Aryan Vasquez, senior economist and vice president for global emerging markets, who spoke about the global economy

Fishing business mixes 'old world art' with technological advances to build Bulletproof Nets
It's been 17 years since Matt Alward did his first for-hire work on nets. Today, Alward owns and operates Bulletproof Nets and, with the help of an eight-10 person crew, keeps a steady flow of work — seine nets to be built and repaired — coming in and out of his shop in Northern Enterprises' boatyard.

Kenai lawmaker backs legislation for industry
Sen. Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai, is working on several pieces of legislation to support industry activity around the state.

Report: Alaska health care industry booming
The health care industry is booming in Alaska, and growth will continue. Health care providers pay a $1.53 billion annual statewide payroll with nearly $1 billion of that in the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna regions of Southcentral Alaska.

New report: Deficits to stay at $1 trillion for next several years
A new budget report released Tuesday predicts the government will run a $1.1 trillion deficit in the fiscal year that ends in September, a slight dip from last year but still very high by any measure.

Business center offers two Homer seminars this month
The Alaska Small Business Development Center will offer two different seminars in Homer in February:

USGS uses airborne tool to map Alaska permafrost
Land's End employee wins Stars of the Industry award
Nomination period open for seats on HEA board
Bill proposed to advance in-state gas line project
Activities in February aimed at heart health
Science: key to longer pipeline life?
Alaska USA members lend helping hands during annual food drive
Central peninsula residents testify in favor of, against surgery center
'Employer of Excellence Award 2012'
Homer chamber mixer rescheduled for today
SPH Foundation to hold annual meeting Jan. 24
Kenai Watershed Forum offers training sessions
Fairbanks pursues natural gas distribution network
Retirement questions still confronting state leaders
New version of licensing bill for fishing guides on tap
Alderfer Group earns customer service certification
Among issues facing Alaska legislators: how much should state spend, how much should it save