Employment Forecast for 2009

Alaska's average monthly job count grew by 2,400 in 2008, an increase of 0.7 percent. It was the state's 21st consecutive year of growth, a streak only four other states can match or exceed. But the nation and world are in economic turmoil heading into 2009 and there are more questions than answers about how Alaska will be affected. The 2009 forecast is for a loss of 700 jobs, a number that reflects two conclusions. The first is that Alaska will not completely escape an economic storm that looks like it will get worse before it gets better. The second is that the state is in a relatively strong position to weather it.