INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS
Images courtesy of GCI
GCI
a number of upgrades and improvements in the region, including the introduction of the new “No Worries” Internet plans in three rural hub communities; the completion of the TERRA project’s heavy construction phase, bringing broadband to Western and Northwest Alaska; and the opening of a new storefront in Kotzebue, enhancing the customer service experience throughout the community. GCI announced a new stealth cell tower in Anchorage’s Rogers Park neighborhood that is providing greater capacity and coverage to GCI customers in Alaska’s largest city. The new tower fills a gap in coverage that GCI identified during network testing. Funding for the $750,000 project was approved in 2014, and, since then, GCI crews have worked to permit and build the new site. GCI’s three stealth cell towers, disguised as spruce trees, fit seamlessly into the landscapes of Rogers Park, Kincaid Park, and Birchwood. The Rogers Park tower project is part of a $30 million commitment by GCI this year to expand and upgrade wireless communication throughout the state. In late September GCI launched its 1Gig red Unlimited plan, the fastest unlimited Internet package in the state. The long-sought upgrade is a major step forward for Internet users in Alaska. Additionally, GCI upgraded its Simply Unbeatable wireless plans to also be unlimited. The new Unlimited Plan is available to customers who subscribe to GCI’s 1Gig red Internet plan and Simply Unbeatable wireless plans. GCI customers who already subscribe to these services will automatically be upgraded to the new Unlimited Plan. gci.com
T G
CI celebrated the completion of the heavy construction phase of the Terrestrial for Every Rural Region (TERRA) high-speed Internet project in September. TERRA is a massive Alaska infrastructure project that, when complete, will connect eighty-four rural communities to modern technology with high-speed terrestrial broadband. In recent months, GCI made
ANALYTICAL CONSULTING GROUP
he Analytical Consulting Group now offers a variety of in-class trainings on accounting, payroll, grant management, budgeting, Microsoft programs, and other system software. Many of these hands-on trainings are provided in a one-day course or can be completed within a few days. Information about the classes and the schedule are accessible on ACG’s new website, acgak. com/classes. Participants are also able to register for classes on the website. Upcoming classes
include Year-End Payroll, and Microsoft Excel, which includes three levels of development. The courses provide cost-effective training to give staff the additional skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the workplace. acgak.com
A
RIVR
new online radio station launched in Alaska providing 24 hours of daily streaming content. The RIVR (Rising Indigenous Voices Radio) is live at www.therivr.net and plays a curated selection of pop, hip-hop, alternative, and electronic dance music, as well as a regular rotation of contemporary indigenous music and nationally syndicated podcasts. Developed with Alaska Native youth in mind, the RIVR focuses on providing content that is both new and familiar to Alaskans, and the digital component allows listeners from all over the world to tune in. The station features nationally syndicated programs and podcasts and offers a platform for Native youth perspectives. RIVR streams in high-definition sound quality and is produced as a component of Koahnic Broadcast Corporation’s operations.
ALASKA AIR CARGO
A
laska Air Cargo opened a new chapter in its business, introducing the first converted Boeing 737-700 cargo aircraft. The aircraft is the first of its kind in the world and was converted from an all-passenger to an all-freight aircraft. The aircraft entered commercial service in September, carrying goods from Seattle to Alaska. Alaska will take delivery of two more converted 737-700 freighters, allowing the new, all-cargo fleet to carry 15 percent more capacity overall. Alaska operated one 737-400 freighter and four 737-400 combi aircraft, which carry
INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PACIFIC PILE & MARINE
126
Alaska Business | November 2017 www.akbizmag.com
Photo courtesy of Alaska Air Cargo
District to Rock-N-Road Construction Inc. of Petersburg. The existing timber bridge was closed to all vehicle traffic in July 2016. The bridge was deemed unsafe because of main support beam failure. It will be replaced by a government provided prefabricated steel truss. The bridge is located on National Forest System Road 8552, Mile Post 1.5 at Excursion Inlet. The project will be paid for with a combination of Haines Borough ($270,000), Secure Rural Schools Act ($50,000), and the Forest Service Capital Improvement and Maintenance funding. The Forest Service anticipates transferring ownership of the bridge to the Haines Borough after the project is completed. www.fs.usda.gov/tongass/