Issue Position: Resource Development

Issue Position

Reasonable Responsible Resource Development

Our Constitution and laws provide careful oversight and balance between preserving our environment and using the resources to create jobs and viable communities. Resource development jobs sustain individual's and communities in both urban and rural Alaska.

Alaska has not had unemployment rates as high as the 9.8% seen nationally... yet. But at 7.6% unemployment, Alaskans should be concerned. Resource development jobs are a critical part of our economy and job creation. North Dakota, which has very business-friendly policies, has unemployment about 3%.

A Job Brings Hope of a Bright Future
Employment in Alaska's resource development industries brings the hope of a productive future to areas of Alaska that offer few employment opportunities.

Although the cost of living in rural Alaska is high, there are few good paying jobs in most remote communities. There are some teachers, a postal agent or airline agent, but, in Kotzebue, a high school graduate working in the grocery store makes about $10/hour. That is not enough to become self-reliant when food and fuel are costly.

At nearby Red Dog Mine, a high school graduate can expect to start at nearly $60,000/year, and more skilled jobs pay $100,000/year or more. These are good paying jobs that allow rural citizens to support themselves, raise a family, and still choose a rural lifestyle of hunting and fishing.

Without the jobs that resource development brings to rural Alaska, many face discouragement and the hopelessness that contribute to a life of chemical dependency and, for too many, suicide.

Employment in our resource development industries brings the bright promise of a productive future to remote and rural Alaskans.

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