America's 'Last Frontier' is our most strategic investment

America’s economic future hinges on energy security, supply chain resilience, and strategic investment in infrastructure. As global markets shift and federal policymakers seek solutions to boost U.S. competitiveness, Alaska has implemented policies that enhance economic resilience, attract investment, and solidify our role as a key driver of national growth.

Under the Biden administration, burdensome regulations and restrictive permitting processes hindered growth, deterring investment and delaying key infrastructure projects. However, with the Trump administration once again acting as a force multiplier for economic expansion, Alaska is making tremendous strides to unlock its full potential.

Alaska’s competitive advantages are rooted in a framework designed to ensure responsible resource development while prioritizing economic growth. Our vast reserves of oil, gas, timber, and minerals provide reliable access to critical resources essential to manufacturing, defense, and technology industries.

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Since the Trump administration took office, Alaska has made significant progress in streamlining permitting processes, reducing bureaucratic obstacles that have historically stifled investment. The Alaska LNG project, a cornerstone of our long-term energy strategy, is now advancing with critical federal approvals, allowing us to bring American natural gas to global markets including Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, which recently signed a letter of intent to purchase LNG.

Trade and economic expansion reinforce Alaska’s role as a national asset. From 2013 to 2022, Alaska’s imports surged by 164 percent, increasing from $1.4 billion to $3.7 billion, while exports rose by 24 percent, from $4.5 billion to $5.6 billion. The result is a $1.9 billion trade surplus, underscoring the state’s growing importance in global commerce. Additionally, Alaska’s economy has grown more than 40 percent since 2000, with GDP rising from $38.5 billion to $54.1 billion in 2023.

Infrastructure investment further enhances Alaska’s ability to compete in the global economy, as we work to modernize ports, airports, and broadband networks. The federal government’s renewed focus on reshoring supply chains underscores the importance of states like Alaska that have the capacity and natural resources to support domestic production. In response, our administration has actively worked to secure federal funding for infrastructure projects that will improve transportation networks and connectivity, ensuring that businesses investing in Alaska have the logistical support they need to thrive.

Alaska is uniquely positioned to meet growing national demands for space access and missile defense, thanks in large part to the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC). Operating the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island, one of only four vertical orbital launch sites in the U.S., AAC offers unmatched capabilities for hypersonic system testing and secure space launch in a low-congestion environment. With its vast geography, strategic location, and proven expertise, Alaska is primed to expand its role in strengthening America's space and defense infrastructure.

Alaska is also emerging as a prime location for data center development, offering a unique opportunity for domestic and international companies seeking secure, energy-efficient locations for digital infrastructure. With a cool climate that reduces cooling costs, abundant renewable and conventional energy sources, and proximity to both U.S. and international markets, Alaska is an ideal location for data centers that require reliability, security, and sustainability.

Workforce development initiatives are expanding to ensure that Alaskans have access to high-paying jobs in emerging industries, from energy to advanced manufacturing. By partnering with industry leaders and educational institutions, we are creating pathways for skills training and certification programs that align with the needs of modern industries. This commitment to workforce readiness is critical in ensuring that Alaska’s economy remains competitive and that opportunities created through resource development directly benefit our residents.

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Unlike restrictive mandates that stifle innovation, our approach, The Alaska Standard balances resource development with conservation, ensuring long-term sustainability while maximizing economic opportunity. This model reinforces that responsible development and environmental stewardship can coexist, benefiting both present and future generations. Our constitutionally protected Permanent Fund Dividend is a direct example of how Alaska ensures that the benefits of resource development flow directly to its people rather than enriching foreign adversaries.

Alaska is taking decisive action to enhance economic vitality and competitiveness. Whether through energy, mining, technology, aerospace or infrastructure, we are creating an environment where investment is not only welcomed but encouraged. The progress being made today is a testament to what is possible when state and federal policies align to support innovation, growth, and opportunity.

With a renewed commitment to these principles, Alaska is helping to shape the next chapter of America’s economic success. We encourage those looking to make long-term, strategic investments to recognize that Alaska is not just a resource-rich state, it is a blueprint for how American innovation and economic growth can be responsibly achieved in the 21st century.