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Investor Presentaiton

638761 The Rural Alaska Economy The economy of rural Alaska-particularly villages in western and interior Alaska-is very different from that of urban areas that account for most of Alaska's population. These population of "village Alaska" is overwhelmingly Alaska Native. Residents get much of their food from subsistence. Costs are very high, and basic infrastructure such as housing and water are far below the standards of urban Alaska. There are few jobs, and a very high share of jobs are in local government, education and health care. The economy is heavily dependent on federal and state transfers. A major economic challenge facing Alaska is how to create economic opportunities in these areas. There are no easy or obvious answers. % Alaska Native (1999) Unemployment rate (2000) Two Rural Census Areas Anchorage Wade Hampton Yukon- Koyukuk 8.1% 94.7% 63.3% 4.7% 17.8% 15.4% Adults Not In Labor Force (1990) 26.7% 44.3% 39.5% $4,000 $5,900 $7,100 % of population below poverty level (1997) 6.7% 39.4% 24.2% Transfer payments per person (1999) Many Alaska villages are accessible only by small planes, boats or snowmachines. Freight costs are heavily subsidized by the U.S. Postal Service's "bypass mail" program. 38 88
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