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Anchorage Economy Growing, Agency Says
In 2012, the Anchorage workforce grew by 1,800, and the economy is on track for more growth this year
By Bill McAllister
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ANCHORAGE - In 2012, the Anchorage workforce grew by 1,800, and the economy is on track for more growth this year.
That was the conclusion of the annual report of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, a private non-profit.
With unemployment at an average of 5.6 percent last year, AEDC President Bill Popp said the city essentially was at full employment.
Surveying the largest cities in the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Popp said Anchorage came in 8th on the “live” portion of its “live, work, play” analysis.
Anchorage was No. 3 for work, and No. 11 for play.
"Combined with 2011, we've added 5,000 jobs over the last two years to the Anchorage economy. All of you in this room have had a major role in that. You are to be applauded for that success. That is amazing progress in the face of what is going on in the rest of the nation, and you should be very, very proud of it."
AEDC is forecasting the creation of 1,700 more jobs this year, with the biggest gains expected to come in health care, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.
