Alaska turns focus to local business retention

The state of Alaska is partnering with regional economic development organizations and chambers of commerce to look into what makes local businesses stay in an area amid the state’s budget troubles.

The Peninsula Clarion reports the partners plan to gather information from businesses in different areas about their thoughts on the economic climate and work with them to expand their business and workforce.

Executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, Rick Roeske, says model programs in other states and Canada have shown that business retention efforts can boost local economies.

The state began planning its program in 2014 and started training local economic development organizations this October.

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