At the recent groundbreaking for its new branch on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), First National Bank Alaska announced that the new facility would be named the North Star Branch. Vice Chair Betsy Lawer made the announcement after remarks by bank chairman and president D.H. Cuddy

The wine collections and culinary creations of Talkeenta Alaskan Lodge and the Resurrection Roadhouse at Seward Windsong Lodge have won the nod of approval for the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

Since 1981, Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Wine List Awards has recognized the world’s best wine lists. Restaurant establishments with a wine list of at least 100 quality selections presented and appropriately paired with the restaurant’s cuisine are honored with the Award of Excellence designation.

ANCHORAGE – The Anchorage Chamber has announced that Era Alaska is one of four finalists for their 2012 Gold Pan Business Excellence Award. Era Alaska is the largest regional airline based in the state, offering daily passenger and cargo services to nearly 100 communities.

The Alaska Support Industry Alliance would like to invite any Alliance member to provide a special offer or discounted service/product to other Alliance members. The Alliance currently has 420 members who employ 35,000 people in the State of Alaska.

It is common for trade associations to offer Affinity Programs to their members as a benefit of membership.

The criteria for the Alliance Affinity program are:

* A customized offer that is only made to the Alliance and is not offered through other trade associations

* A one-year commitment

The 2012 Week of the Arctic will take place August 13-18 in Anchorage. Week of the Arctic events will include:

* Monday, Aug. 13: Federal Research Priorities and Processes

* Tuesday, Aug. 14: Arctic Council Strategic Planning and Luncheon

* Wednesday, Aug. 15: Northern Energy Science and Technology Fair

* Thursday, Aug. 16: Bering Strait Port Authority Workshop

* Saturday, Aug. 18: Governor Walter J. Hickel Day of the Arctic Brunch

First National Bank Alaska will break ground for a new branch on July 24 at the AAFES Mall on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Bank chairman and president D.H. Cuddy and Vice Chair Betsy Lawer will preside at the ceremony, scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The name of the new branch will be announced at the proceedings.

On July 10, ASRC Energy Services Inc. broke ground on an expansion and upgrade to its Rig Tenders Dock marine facility in Nikiski. The $9.4 million upgrade is expected to be completed in 2013 and will allow AES to pursue new marine service opportunities as oil and gas exploration activities increase in Cook Inlet, as well as the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Additionally, the upgrade will complement current construction and fabrication projects at the adjacent Kenai Fabrication Shop.

Wind power now provides residents of an isolated Alaska village, Goodnews Bay, with renewable energy to run a water treatment facility, reducing the village’s dependence on imported diesel fuel while maintaining crucial infrastructure.

Alaska Soda JerkAnchorage, AK — A new vendor at fairs in the Anchorage and Fairbanks areas will provide old fashioned soda fountain drinks: Alaska Soda Jerk.

Dressed in period outfits, the “Soda Jerks” will serve classic soda drink favorites such as chocolate egg creams, as well as popular “boardwalk” drinks such as cherry limeade, ocean waters and glacier water.

Alaska Business Week runs July 14-21 on the UAF campus

Anchorage, Alaska – The Alaska Credit Union League has provided scholarships for sixteen Alaska high school students to attend Alaska Business Week, giving them the opportunity to experience a simulated corporate environment learning business, teambuilding, leadership, and life skills. Starting July 14, students will spend a week on the UAF campus living in dorms, experiencing a college environment, and earning college credit.

Eklutna Inc., the Alaska Native Village Corporation for the Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River area, was honored recently by the Alaska State Legislature for its 40-year history of service to its shareholders, to the community and the state. Reps. Bill Stoltze and Dan Saddler introduced the citation, which read in part, “The Twenty-Seventh Alaska State Legislature congratulates Eklutna Native Corp.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 28, 2012 – USDA-RD Alaska State Director Jim Nordlund today announced USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for High Energy Cost Grants (HECG) grants to assist rural communities with extremely high energy costs across Alaska.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Railroad Corporation today was informed by the office of Congressman Don Young that ARRC will continue to receive funding near current levels through Federal Transit Administration formula funds. Rep. Young served on the conference committee and also serves on the House committee with FTA jurisdiction.

Alaska-based luxury travel operator Within the Wild Adventure Company recently announced the sale of Redoubt Bay Lodge to the Brewer family, a long-time Alaska tourism presence.

Located on the edge of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Southcentral Alaska, Redoubt Bay Lodge is a prime spot for bear viewing and fishing in the summer. The lodge offers half- and full-day trips and accommodates overnight guests in three cabins. Owned by the Dixon family, Within the Wild Adventure Company has operated the lodge since 1994. The sale was finalized on Thursday, July 5.

Anchorage - Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate, located in Anchorage, was one of 50 top companies honored from within the Prudential Real Estate network to attend the Gibraltar Circle Conference June 17-19 at The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate was selected to participate in the conference after achieving a network ranking of 24th based on service, income and other factors.

FAIRBANKS, AK, June 27, 2012-- Fairbanks Natural Gas, LLC (“FNG”) announced today that it has engaged Marathon Capital, LLC, a leading investment bank to explore strategic and financing alternatives to support FNG’s growth objectives.

FNG is committed to bringing an increased capacity of natural gas to the Fairbanks community and Marathon Capital will provide strategic guidance and financial advisory services to FNG and its associated entities, with respect to raising capital needed to meaningfully expand the availability of natural gas in Fairbanks.

Boney CourthouseANCHORAGE, Alaska – June 28, 2012

The new 92-room Aspen Hotel is now open in Anchorage.

The Aspen Hotel Anchorage is the newest value-added business class hotel in Alaska. The hotel features a clean and contemporary design with a soothing palette of lobby colors. Located in the midtown area of Tudor Road and C Street, the hotel features over-sized rooms with fully equipped in-room kitchenettes, a meeting room, wireless internet and a fitness center.

For more information on the Aspen Hotel, visit: www.aspenhotelak.com

WASHINGTON --Today American Express OPEN®, the small business division of the financial services company, recognized a local small business owner for outstanding achievements in government contracting during the third annual Victory in Procurement (VIP) Awards. The awards ceremony took place at the “Victory in Procurement: Grow Your Business through Government Contracting” event in Washington, D.C.

Local businesses are fighting blood shortages in Alaska. They are hosting blood drives and offering special deals and appreciation items to thank blood donors for coming in and to encourage more people to donate blood.