Economists and Business Leaders Cautious on Alaska in 2026

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In an article released today, Alaska Business magazine explores the state’s 2026 economic outlook. The economists and business leaders interviewed expressed some concern over the impact of lower oil and gas prices on the state’s dominant energy industry, fearing reductions in production and employment if market prices remain under pressure. Additionally, the state’s heavy reliance on Medicaid represents another avenue of vulnerability for the state’s economy according to these experts, given the changes to the program at the federal level. Finally, while the state’s important tourism industry has faced some headwinds due to the decline in foreign visitors and the economic pressure facing domestic tourists, the interviewees generally expressed cautious optimism about the health of the state’s tourism economy in 2026.


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