ALASKA TRENDS
T
he impacts of COVID-19 on Alaska’s economy are myriad, and the combined action plans of federal and state governments in responding to the pandemic have been equally multifaceted. Loan forgiveness programs, relief activity, and early permanent fund dividend distribution are a few of the tactics that government officials employed to keep Alaska’s economy running. Staying abreast of what’s happening during the pandemic—case numbers, statewide health mandates, unemployment statistics—is a daunting task. This month in Alaska Trends we provide an overview of a few key statistics and COVID-19 response efforts. While much of the information is unsettling, there are some positive spots to consider. For example, compared to the beginning of the pandemic, current unemployment numbers have almost been cut in half. And what we can’t see in this data is the incredibly hard work going on behind the scenes to both secure economic opportunities and safeguard the health of every Alaskan.
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COVID-19 IN ALASKA
The timeline below looks at the health of the economy, Alaska's daily COVID-19 case count, and the state's responses in the first six months of the pandemic.
Statewide Health Mandates
Unemployment 1
Daily Active COVID-19 Cases
Relief Fund Activity
March 19 SBA EIDL available for businesses affected by COVID-19 March 26
400
HB 308 signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy expanding unemployment insurance benefits March 27
April 27
CARES Act signed by President Donald Trump
Additional $310 million allocated to PPP; reopens to loan applications
March 31 Employee Retention Credit launched by IRS
200
April 2
May 12
AK Safe Program launched
$1.5 billion of Alaska CARES Act funds distributed
April 3 PPP applications accepted - small businesses May 28
April 8 AK DNR suspends/ extends certain fees
March 27 Health Mandate 011 orders all Alaskans to stay in place
3/163/173/18
April 10 PPP applications accepted - independent contractors & self employed
3/203/213/223/233/243/25
3/19
3/273/283/293/30
3/26
4/1
3/31
4/4 4/5 4/6 4/7 4/2 4/3
4/8
4/9
AK Cares program grants made available
May 22 Alaska moves to phase 3 allowing for 75% capacity in businesses
4/114/124/134/144/154/164/174/184/194/204/214/224/234/244/254/26 4/284/294/30 5/1 5/2 5/3 5/4 5/5 5/6 5/7 5/8 5/9 5/105/11 5/135/145/155/165/175/185/195/205/21 5/235/245/255/265/27 4/10 5/22 4/27 5/12
5/295/305/31 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4 6/5 6/6 6/7 6/8 6/9 6/106/116/126/136/146/156/166/176/186/196/206/216/226/236/246/256/266/276/286/296/30 7/1 7/2 7/3 7/4 7/5 7/6 7/7 7/8 7/9 7/1
5/28
20,000
45,776 April Unemployment
40,000 60,000
78 | December 2020
42,378 May Unemployment
42,709 June Unemployment
Alaska Business www.akbizmag.com
