Anchorage Employment Report

First Edition 2017 February Anchorage Employment Report CO-SPONSORED BY:

TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...2 GOODS PRODUCING JOBS SUMMARY...3 SERVICES PROVIDING JOBS SUMMARY...5 HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT...5 PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES SNAPSHOT...5 ANCHORAGE HOUSING...6 ALASKA FORECLOSURES & BANKRUPTCIES...8 UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS...9 UNEMPLOYMENT ANALYSIS OF SOUTHCENTRAL REGION (TABLE)... 10 LABOR FORCE ANALYSIS CHARTS... 11 ANCHORAGE EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES TABLE... 12 ALASKA EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES TABLE... 13 ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PRESS RELEASE... 14 All data referenced in this employment report is from the State of Alaska, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development website: www.laborstats.alaska.gov and from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov. Report compiled by Anchorage Economic Development Corp. Research Department. Report generously sponsored by First National Bank Alaska and Alaska Communications. If you are interested in learning more about this data or are interested in how AEDC can help you develop a report, call AEDC at 907.258.3700. AEDC, 510 L Street, Suite 603, Anchorage, AK 99501

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT The preliminary not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Anchorage in February was 5.9 percent, up 0.3 percent from the January revised rate. This is above the national not seasonally adjusted rate of 4.9 percent and below the statewide not seasonally adjusted rate of 7.4 percent. As always, it should be noted that these are preliminary survey figures for July and will be revised next month. YEAR-TO-DATE UNEMPLOYMENT The 2017 average year-to-date (YTD) not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Anchorage was 5.7 percent at the end of February. A decrease of 453 in the employment total and 588 in the Anchorage labor force during the YTD period has resulted in the reported unemployment total increasing by 135. 5.9% February 2017 Unemployment Rate for Anchorage (preliminary) 5.7% 2017 YTD Unemployment Rate for Anchorage (preliminary) The total number of unemployed people in Anchorage for the month of February is estimated at 9,230 (those actively looking for jobs), 130 more than February 2016. In the Mat-Su Borough, the YTD average monthly unemployment rate of 9.1 percent is down 0.2 percent from 2016 YTD while the Kenai Peninsula s unemployment rate of 9.2 percent has decreased by 0.6 percent during the same period (see the charts on pages 9-10 for more details). It is important to note that the Anchorage unemployment numbers represent the labor force residing in Anchorage, and do not describe the number of filled positions in Anchorage. The industry employment estimates referenced in the remainder of this report are representative of the number of jobs in the Municipality of Anchorage, regardless of the job holder s place of residency. ANCHORAGE INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES As for Anchorage industry employment estimates, which includes total jobs in Anchorage held by city residents and commuters, the YTD average for 2017 shows a loss of 1,500 jobs (-1.0%) so far compared to the same period in 2016. The private sector (total jobs minus government jobs) at 120,600 jobs shrunk by 1,200 (-1.1%) jobs during this time, while Government employment at 29,500 jobs has decreased by 300 (-1.0%). Federal jobs have decreased by 200 (-2.3%) so far. State government jobs have decreased by 400 (-3.8%) and Local Government jobs have increased by 200 150,200 Total jobs in Anchorage February 2017 (preliminary) YTD (-7.8%), while Manufacturing remains steady compared to YTD 2016. (+1.9%). Please note that these figures will likely be revised as more data is received and additional analysis is conducted. The Goods Producing category lost 1,400 jobs YTD (-12.0%). The Mining & Logging industry (which includes Oil & Gas employment) continues to decline locally and is showing 900 fewer jobs (-25.7%). Construction is down 500 jobs Services Providing industries as a sector have neither lost or gained jobs during the first two months of 2017. Categories showing increases include Health Care up 600 jobs (+3.1%), and Leisure & Hospitality (Tourism) up 100 jobs (+0.6%). Services Providing industries showing losses so far in 2017 include Trade/Transportation/Utilities (TTU) down 500 jobs (-1.5%), Financial Activities down 400 jobs (-5.2%), Professional & Business Services down 300 jobs (-1.6%), and Other Services down 400 jobs (-6.7%). 2

ANCHORAGE EMPLOYMENT Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 164,000 162,000 160,000 158,000 156,000 154,000 152,000 150,000 148,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 146,000 144,000 GOODS PRODUCING JOBS CONSTRUCTION WORK, MINING, OIL & GAS PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURING Losses in the number of Goods Producing jobs in Anchorage continue to lead the overall downward trend that began in early 2016. The year to date average of 10,300 is 1,400 (-12.0%) fewer jobs than the same period in 2016. A decrease of 900 (-25.7%) jobs in the Mining & Logging industry, which includes Oil & Gas employment. YTD Construction employment is down 500 (-7.8%) jobs. Manufacturing is flat at 1,800 jobs. Total Anchorage Goods Producing employment are now tracking at record lows for the last decade. The Oil & Gas sector YTD job total shows 700 (-21.2%) fewer jobs so far this year compared to 2016 YTD. Statewide, Oil & Gas industry YTD employment is down 3,200 jobs (-24.8%) compared to the same period in 2016. While oil markets continue to show some volatility, prices in the high $40s to low $50s seem to be generating some movement toward renewed investments in Alaska s oil patch, though at extremely modest levels so far. In the new normal that is now in place, even slight increases in investment are important. State fiscal policy issues such as oil taxation and credits will need to be finalized before there can be an expectation of any significant renewal of investments by the private sector in Alaska s oil patch. The Construction industry, as noted earlier, is showing 500 YTD job losses compared to the same period in 2016. Anchorage building permit application values, a measure of interest in construction, have reached $89.3 million through the March 17th reporting period, 13 percent above the $79 million at this point last year. The recent announcements of the $16 million Hyatt Place Hotel, $1.2 million Dimond Animal Hospital, as well as the $2.6 million Dave & Busters are all welcome news to a very tight construction market. 3

GOODS PRODUCING JOBS Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 17,000 16,000 Those jobs that are specifically tied to production, not those which support the production or maintenance of the production jobs. 15,000 14,000 13,000 12,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 In Anchorage: 10,300 GOODS PRODUCING JOBS February 2017 (preliminary) 11,000 10,000 5,900 CONSTRUCTION JOBS February 2017 (preliminary) 2,600 OIL & GAS JOBS February 2017 (preliminary) CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 11,000 10,000 9,000 8,000 7,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 OIL & GAS EMPLOYMENT Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 4,500 4,000 6,000 2017 3,500 3,000 2011 5,000 2,500 2012 2013 2,000 2014 2015 2016 1,500 2017 1,000 500 0 4

SERVICES PROVIDING JOBS ENGINEERING, RETAIL, TOURISM, HEALTH CARE, ETC. Services Providing jobs in Anchorage totaled 139,900 for February. Overall, the Services Providing sector YTD average is flat compared to YTD 2016. The Trade/Transportation/Utilities (TTU) industry sector is down 500 jobs (-1.5%) so far this year. The YTD employment average in Wholesale Trade and Transportation/Utilities is flat so far this year. The Retail Trade sector, a subset of the TTU industry, is down slightly by 400 jobs (-2.3%) YTD compared to 2016 YTD. The Government jobs monthly average in Anchorage is down 300 jobs YTD from 2016. Federal Government positions are down 200 (-2.3%). The State Government sector is averaging 400 (-3.8%) fewer jobs than at this point last year. Total State government employment is down 1,000 (-4.0%) YTD. Municipality of Anchorage positions have increased by 200. State Education jobs in Anchorage, a subset of State Government, are down 200 jobs YTD. HEALTH CARE EMPLOYMENT Employment in the Health Care sector continues to do well, with 600 (+3.1%) more jobs over 2016 YTD. This sector began a significant run up in job growth in mid-2016. This trend appears to be on a similar track in 2017. As noted in AEDC s 2016 Economic Forecast report, this sector will be one of the high points in a down year for job growth. SERVICES PROVIDING JOBS Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 149,000 147,000 145,000 143,000 141,000 139,000 137,000 135,000 133,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES CONSULTING, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, LEGAL SERVICES, ACCOUNTING, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, WASTE MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. This category includes consulting, engineering, architecture, legal services, accounting, scientific research, waste management & administrative services. Professional and business services losses seem to be moderating with YTD losses of 300 jobs (-1.6%) compared to 2016. Nonexistent state capital budgets, continuing lack of major capital investments by most oil field companies give clear insight to the cause of this industry s decreases. Tougher times in this industry will continue through 2017. HEALTH CARE EMPLOYMENT Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 21,500 PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES Municipality of Anchorage 2011-Present 23,000 20,500 22,000 19,500 21,000 2011 18,500 2012 20,000 2011 17,500 2013 2014 19,000 2012 2013 2014 16,500 2015 2016 18,000 2015 2016 2017 15,500 2017 17,000 14,500 16,000 5

ANCHORAGE HOUSING SINGLE FAMILY HOME LISTINGS February data from Anchorage Multiple Listing Service shows that inventories of homes for sale, at 574 in Anchorage, were down 7.7 percent compared to February of last year, the sixth-highest inventory level for this month in the last 10 years. The Anchorage housing market remains a relatively balanced market of buying and selling opportunities. ANCHORAGE SINGLE FAMILY HOME LISTINGS YTD Total, 10-Year Comparison 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200-944 775 731 827 687 533 498 497 622 574 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 January February March April May June July August September October November December Source: Anchorage MLS 146 Single family home unit sales, February 2017 SINGLE FAMILY HOME MONTHLY UNIT SALES Anchorage monthly sales of single family homes in February were the fourth-best for the month in the last 10 years. 148 units were sold, a 10.8 percent decrease compared to February 2016. ANCHORAGE SINGLE FAMILY HOME MONTHLY UNIT SALES YTD, 10-Year Comparison as of 2/28/17 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50-170 138 120 147 146 157 134 164 164 146 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Source: Anchorage MLS January February March April May June July August September October November December 6

ANCHORAGE HOUSING, CONT. SINGLE FAMILY HOME YTD TOTAL UNIT SALES YTD sales for the first two months of 2017 are slightly ahead of the same period in 2016 with 317 units sold so far in 2017, up 5 percent over last year. It should be noted that January sales, at 169 units sold, were the best totals for that month in the last 12 years. ANCHORAGE SINGLE FAMILY TOTAL UNIT SALES YTD Total, 10-Year Comparison as of 2/28/17 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 2498 2449 2300 2372 2662 3078 2860 2998 2917 315 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Source: Anchorage MLS $340,912 Average home sale price in Anchoage, 2017 YTD SINGLE FAMILY HOME AVERAGE SALES PRICE The average price for a home sold in Anchorage YTD through the end of February stood at $340,912, down $9,158 compared to the same period in 2016. While average sales prices can vary widely from month to month, the annual average is another good measure of market health. While down slightly by 2.6 percent, this price still remains near the top end of the 10-year average for this two month period. ANCHORAGE SINGLE FAMILY HOME AVG. SALES PRICE YTD, 10-Year Comparison as of 2/28/17 $370,000 $360,000 $350,000 $340,000 $330,000 $320,000 $310,000 $300,000 $290,000 $324,095 $320,627 $328,751 $321,546 $335,538 $344,851 $357,332 $365,360 $364,132 $ 340,912 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Source: Anchorage MLS 7

ALASKA FORECLOSURES Alaska continues to show solid indicators in this category. Out of the 50 states and District of Columbia, Alaska is in a seven-way tie for last place at 0.3 percent of all active mortgages in foreclosure for the 12 months ending December 31st, 2016. The national average was 0.8 percent. Another positive indicator is Alaska s serious delinquency rate, at 1.1 percent of all mortgages statewide, which ranks 50th in the nation well below the national average of 2.5 percent. Current foreclosure and serious delinquency data shows that the Alaska housing market remains solidly healthy as of this report. COMPLETED HOME FORECLOSURES - BEST 10 STATES/D.C. 12 Months Ending February 2017 COMPLETED HOME FORECLOSURES - WORST 10 STATES/D.C. 12 Months Ending February 2017 3.0% 2.8% 6% 5.6% 2.5% 2.5% 5% 5.0% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.8% 1.9% 1.9% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.20% 0.30% 0.4% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.4% Forclosures 90+ Days Delinquent 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% 2.8% 2.6% 2.7% 0.8% 3.7% 3.6% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.1% Forclosures 90+ Days Delinquent 0.0% Source: CoreLogic ALASKA BANKRUPTCIES According to recently released data from the American Bankruptcy Institute, Alaska bankruptcies remain at near record lows. For the two months ending February 28th, Alaska ranked 51st out of the 50 states and District of Columbia with a per capita rate of 0.62 bankruptcies per 1,000 Alaskans. This compares to the national per capita rate of 2.19 bankruptcies per 1,000 Americans. The total number of bankruptcies in Alaska YTD, at 72, are up by 33 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2016. As measured by this metric, the financial health of Alaska s citizens and businesses continues to demonstrate solid results. ANNUAL BANKRUPTCY FILINGS As of 2/28/17 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200-169 130 120 94 935 860 63 71 73 619 481 385 370 333 15 57 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Non-Commercial Commercial Source: American Bankruptcy Institute 8

UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS Initial unemployment claim applications can be interpreted as a proxy for layoffs. They tend to fall as job growth accelerates. As was the case in 2016, weekly totals in 2017 continue to track near 2015 levels, still well below recent historic highs seen in 2011. This continuing low range for initial unemployment claims has been a silver lining in the recent bad news for the Alaska and Anchorage economies, even in the face of the recent significant job losses in Oil & Gas, Construction and Professional and Business Services sectors. We continue to be concerned about how long this trend will last. Questions remain as to whether the full ripple effect of recent goods producing industry layoffs has been fully realized in the Services sector. INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS IN ALASKA, Q1 1st Quarter 5,000 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 500 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Week of the Year Continuing unemployment claims figures help to show how well unemployed workers are re-entering the workforce. This total does not include workers receiving extended benefits from the federal government. As we noted in last year s reports, the trend in weekly numbers in 2017 continues to track slightly above 2015 for the same time period, but still remains well below recent historic highs reported in 2011. This is another indicator of some continuing momentum to be found in the Alaska economy, though we still expect to see a slowing of this momentum at some point this year. If there is an unexpected increase in the rate of job losses in 2017, lack of job availability will likely increasingly affect the ability to find jobs for those workers included in this metric. This could result in an increase in the numbers of workers receiving unemployment benefits in the long term, though how significant that increase will be is difficult to project. CONTINUING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS IN ALASKA, Q1 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Week of the Year 9

UNEMPLOYMENT ANALYSIS (YTD, 2017) Anchorage, Mat-Su, Kenai Peninsula Borough 17 YTD Avg 16 YTD Avg 17 vs 16 (YTD) Municipality of Anchorage Revised Preliminary Labor Force 156,099 157,422 156,761 157,214 (454) Employment 147,369 148,192 147,781 148,369 (588) Unemployment 8,730 9,230 8,980 8,846 135 Unemployment Rate 5.6% 5.9% 5.7% 5.6% 0.1% Mat-Su Borough Labor Force 46,387 46,876 46,632 45,022 1,610 Employment 42,223 42,516 42,370 40,822 1,548 Unemployment 4,164 4,360 4,262 4,201 62 Unemployment Rate 9.0% 9.3% 9.1% 9.3% -0.2% Kenai Peninsula Borough Labor Force 26,481 26,207 26,344 26,507 (163) Employment 24,134 23,683 23,909 23,915 (6) Unemployment 2,347 2,524 2,436 2,593 (157) Unemployment Rate 8.9% 9.6% 9.2% 9.8% -0.5% Southcentral Region Labor Force 228,967 230,505 229,736 228,743 993 Employment 213,726 214,391 214,059 213,105 954 Unemployment 15,241 16,114 15,678 15,639 39 Unemployment Rate 6.7% 7.0% 6.8% 6.8% 0.0% State of Alaska Labor Force 356,084 360,285 358,185 357,042 1,143 Employment 330,459 333,483 331,971 330,227 1,744 Unemployment 25,625 26,802 26,214 26,815 (601) Unemployment Rate 7.2% 7.4% 7.3% 7.5% -0.2% *Note: These numbers reflect employment, unemployment, etc. for only those people that are residence of the specified City/Region, thus are not inclusive of people who commute to another city for their jobs. (Ex: Someone lives in Wasilla but works in Anchorage. They would be counted in the Mat-Su Borough's labor force and employment numbers, not the Municipality of Anchorage numbers) 10

Unemployment Rates YTD 2017 Municipality of Anchorage Labor Force Analysis YTD 2017 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Jan Municipality of Anchorage Mat-Su Borough Feb 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000-12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Kenai Peninsula Borough State of Alaska Employment Unemployment Unemployment Rate Mat-Su Borough Labor Force Analysis YTD 2017 Kenai Peninsula Borough Labor Force Analysis YTD 2017 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000-12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000-12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Employment Unemployment Unemployment Rate Employment Unemployment Unemployment Rate Southcentral Region Labor Force Analysis YTD 2017 State of Alaska Labor Force Analysis YTD 2017 250,000 225,000 200,000 175,000 150,000 125,000 100,000 75,000 50,000 25,000 0 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000-12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Employment Unemployment Unemployment Rate Employment Unemployment Unemployment Rate Unemployment Rates YTD 2017 vs YTD 2016 Monthly Average 0.1% -0.2% Municipality of Anchorage Mat-Su Borough -0.5% Kenai Peninsula Borough Southcentral Region 0.0% State of Alaska -0.2% -0.6% -0.4% -0.2% 0.0% 0.2% 11

INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES 2017 Municipality of Anchorage Federal Data Series CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES Revised Preliminary 2017 YTD Avg. 2016 YTD Avg. 2017 vs 2016 YTD Change % Change % Change from same month year ago -0.9% -1.1% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% Total Nonfarm 150,000 150,200 150,100 151,600-1,500-1.0% Goods Producing 10,200 10,300 10,300 11,700-1,400-12.0% Mining and Logging 2 2,600 2,600 2,600 3,500-900 -25.7% Oil & Gas 2,500 2,600 2,600 3,300-700 -21.2% Construction 5,800 5,900 5,900 6,400-500 -7.8% Manufacturing 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800 0 0.0% Services Providing 139,800 139,900 139,900 139,900 0 0.0% Trade/Transportation/Utilities 32,200 32,000 32,100 32,600-500 -1.5% Wholesale Trade 4,700 4,700 4,700 4,700 0 0.0% Retail Trade 17,300 17,000 17,200 17,600-400 -2.3% Trans/Warehouse/Utilities 10,300 10,400 10,400 10,400 0 0.0% Information 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 0 0.0% Financial Activities 7,300 7,300 7,300 7,700-400 -5.2% Professional & Business Svcs 17,800 17,900 17,900 18,200-300 -1.6% Educational & Health Services 26,500 26,600 26,600 25,200 1400 5.6% Health Care 20,100 20,200 20,200 19,600 600 3.1% Leisure & Hospitality 17,000 17,000 17,000 16,900 100 0.6% Accommodation 3,100 3,100 3,100 3,200-100 -3.1% Food Svcs & Drinking Places 11,600 11,400 11,500 11,400 100 0.9% Other Services 5,600 5,600 5,600 6,000-400 -6.7% Government 29,400 29,600 29,500 29,800-300 -1.0% Federal Government 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,700-200 -2.3% State Government 10,000 10,200 10,100 10,500-400 -3.8% State Education 2,500 2,700 2,600 2,800-200 -7.1% Local Government 10,900 10,900 10,900 10,700 200 1.9% Local Education 8,000 8,000 8,000 7,900 100 1.3% The Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, is based on a survey of approximately 146,000 businesses and government agencies representing Quick Comparisons The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program publishes a quarterly count of employment and wages reported by employers covering 98 percent of 17 vs 16-1,600-1.1% - Nonfarm Wage & Salary excludes self-employed workers, fishers, domestics, and unpaid family workers. February - All totals are seasonly non-adjusted totals. - Government includes employees of public school systems and the University of Alaska. - Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section * Note: The above numbers are representative of all people employed in the Municipality of Anchorage, this is inclusive of workers who claim residence outside of the Municipality of Anchorage. (Ex: someone who lives in the Mat-Su, but works in Anchorage would be included in these number) 17 vs 16 1st Qtr 17 vs 16 2nd Qtr 17 vs 16 3rd Qtr. 17 vs 16 4th Qtr. -1,500-1.0% 12

INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES 2017 State of Alaska Federal Data Series CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES CES Revised Preliminary 2017 YTD Avg. 2016 YTD Avg. 2017 vs 2016 YTD Change % Change % Change from same month year ago -2.3% -2.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% -100.0% Total Nonfarm 311,000 316,100 313,600 320,500-6,900-2.2% Goods Producing 34,100 37,700 35,900 42,700-6,800-15.9% Mining and Logging 2 12,900 13,100 13,000 16,200-3,200-19.8% Mining 12,600 12,600 12,600 15,500-2,900-18.7% Oil & Gas 9,700 9,700 9,700 12,900-3,200-24.8% Construction 12,700 13,800 13,300 14,000-700 -5.0% Manufacturing 8,500 10,800 9,700 12,400-2,700-21.8% Seafood Processing 5,200 6,800 6,000 8,800-2,800-31.8% Services Providing 276,900 278,400 277,700 277,900-200 -0.1% Trade/Transportation/Utilities 61,300 60,500 60,900 61,300-400 -0.7% Wholesale Trade 5,900 5,900 5,900 6,400-500 -7.8% Retail Trade 35,700 35,000 35,400 35,600-200 -0.6% Food & Beverage Stores 5,600 5,800 5,700 5,600 100 1.8% General Merchandise Stores 10,600 10,400 10,500 10,500 0 0.0% Trans/Warehouse/Utilities 19,700 19,600 19,700 19,400 300 1.5% Air Transportation 5,700 5,700 5,700 5,100 600 11.8% Information 6,300 6,300 6,300 6,200 100 1.6% Telecommunications 4,200 4,200 4,200 4,200 0 0.0% Financial Activities 11,500 11,500 11,500 12,500-1,000-8.0% Professional & Business Svcs 25,700 26,600 26,200 27,900-1,700-6.1% Educational & Health Services 48,600 49,200 48,900 46,900 2,000 4.3% Health Care 35,400 35,700 35,600 34,900 700 2.0% Leisure & Hospitality 31,300 31,000 31,200 29,900 1,300 4.3% Accommodation 6,800 6,700 6,800 6,300 500 7.9% Food Svcs & Drinking Places 20,400 20,000 20,200 19,700 500 2.5% Other Services 11,700 11,700 11,700 11,000 700 6.4% Government 80,500 81,600 81,100 81,600-500 -0.6% Federal Government 14,500 14,600 14,600 14,700-100 -0.7% State Government 23,800 24,300 24,100 25,100-1,000-4.0% State Education 7,200 7,700 7,500 7,900-400 -5.1% Local Government 42,200 42,700 42,500 42,000 500 1.2% Local Education 23,800 24,300 24,100 24,000 100 0.4% The Current Tribal Employment Government Statistics 1 (CES) survey, is based 3,800 on a survey 3,900 of approximately 146,000 businesses and government agencies representing approximately 623,000 worksites throughout the 3,900 3,600 300 8.3% The United Quarterly States. Census The primary of Employment statistics derived and Wages from (QCEW) the survey program are monthly publishes estimates a quarterly of employment, count of employment hours, and and earnings wages for reported the Nation, by employers States, and covering major 98 metropolitan percent of U.S. areas. jobs, Estimates available for at the the Quick Comparisons county, MSA, state and national levels by industry. This data is considered to be the more definitive analysis of employment figures and trends. QCEW data in the current year is presented as 16 vs 17-6,500-2.0% - Nonfarm Wage & Salary excludes self-employed workers, fishers, domestics, and unpaid family workers. February - All totals are non-seasonally adjusted totals. - Government includes employees of public school systems and the University of Alaska. - Totals may not equal sub-sections due to rounding. - Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section 17 vs 16 1st Qtr 17 vs 16 2nd Qtr 17 vs 16 3rd Qtr. 17 vs 16 4th Qtr -7,000-2.1% 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2017 No. 17-16 For more information: Conor Bell, Economist 907-465-6037, Conor Bell@Alaska.Gov Unemployment Rate at 6.4 Percent in February JUNEAU, Alaska Alaska s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in February, essentially unchanged from January s 6.5 percent. The comparable national rate was 4.7 percent. The state s seasonally adjusted rate remained steady throughout 2016 and early 2017 despite falling employment. Preliminary estimates show employment was down by 6,500, or 2.0 percent, compared to the previous February. Substantial job losses continued in oil, construction, state government, and professional and business services, which is tied to oil and construction activity. Retail trade recorded significant losses, suggesting declining consumer spending. The only industries with notable growth were health care and local government. February s not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from January, which is a typical seasonal increase. Across the state, unemployment rates fell in 10 boroughs and census areas, rose in 18, and remained unchanged in one. Denali Borough had the highest unemployment rate at 21.4 percent, and Aleutians East Borough had the lowest rate at 1.7 percent. Regions with winter fisheries had the lowest rates. # # # For detailed employment estimates, see http://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/ces/. The estimates are preliminary and subject to potentially large revisions. For more information on unemployment rates around the state, see live.laborstats.alaska.gov/labforce/. 14

Unemployment Rates, Alaska and U.S. January 2005 to February 2017 12% Seasonally adjusted 10% 8% U.S. 6% Alaska 4% 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Sources: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section; and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Wage and Salary Employment Percent change from same month the previous year 3% 2% 1% 0% -1% -2% -3% J n F b M r Apr M y J n J A g S p Oc Nov D c J n F b M r Apr M y J n J A g S p Oc Nov D c J n F b 2015 2016 2017 Note: Actual employment counts through June 2016 are from the benchmarked Current Employment Statistics and Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages employment series. Estimated employment counts from July through December are based on a forecast of the QCEW series. Regional Employment Change from January 2016 to February 2017-6,500 Statewide -3,000 Anchorage Municipality -600-700 -300 Interior Region Southeast Region Gulf Coast Region -2,500 Northern Region 0 Southwest Region -8,000-7,000-6,000-5,000-4,000-3,000-2,000-1,000 0 Sources: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; and Current Employment Statistics 15

Employment By Industry Average Monthly Employment Compared to Feb 2016 Feb 2017¹ Jan 2017¹ Feb 2016² Change Percent Chg Total Nonfarm Employment 315,200 310,400 321,700-6,500-2.0% Total Private 233,900 230,200 239,500-5,600-2.3% Mining and Logging 12,600 12,500 15,500-2,900-18.7% Oil and Gas 10,200 10,100 12,700-2,500-19.7% Construction 13,100 12,800 14,100-1,000-7.1% Manufacturing 13,100 11,300 13,500-400 -3.0% Trade, Transportation and Utilities 60,500 60,600 61,600-1,100-1.8% Wholesale 6,200 6,200 6,400-200 -3.1% Retail 34,900 35,100 35,500-600 -1.7% Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities 19,400 19,300 19,700-300 -1.5% Information 6,300 6,200 6,300 0 0.0% Financial Activity 11,700 11,700 11,600 100 0.9% Professional and Business Services 26,700 26,300 27,700-1,000-3.6% Education and Health 48,800 48,200 48,200 600 1.2% Health Care 35,700 35,700 35,000 700 2.0% Leisure and Hospitality 30,400 29,900 30,300 100 0.3% Other Services 10,700 10,700 10,700 0 0% Total Government 81,300 80,200 82,200-900 -1.1% Federal 14,600 14,500 14,700-100 -0.7% State 24,200 23,800 25,300-1,100-4.3% Local 42,500 41,900 42,200 300 0.7% ¹Employment estimates for 2017 are based on a forecast of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data. ²Employment estimates for 2016 are from the benchmarked Current Employment Statistics employment data. 16

Labor Force by Borough and Census Area, Not Seasonally Adjusted 1 Unemployed Civilian Labor Force 2 Number Rate 2/17 P 1/17 2/16 2/17 P 1/17 2/16 2/17 P 1/17 2/16 Alaska 360,285 356,084 357,339 26,802 25,625 26,762 7.4 7.2 7.5 Anchorage/Mat-Su Region 204,298 202,486 202,173 13,590 12,897 13,036 6.7 6.4 6.4 Anchorage, Municipality 157,422 156,099 155,841 9,230 8,730 8,815 5.9 5.6 5.7 Matanuska-Susitna Borough 46,876 46,387 46,332 4,360 4,167 4,221 9.3 9.0 9.1 Gulf Coast Region 37,110 36,985 36,967 3,289 3,112 3,439 8.9 8.4 9.3 Kenai Peninsula Borough 26,207 26,481 26,105 2,524 2,347 2,624 9.6 8.9 10.1 Kodiak Island Borough 6,645 6,278 6,625 299 344 324 4.5 5.5 4.9 Valdez-Cordova Census Area 4,258 4,226 4,237 466 421 491 10.9 10.0 11.6 Interior Region 51,773 51,247 51,027 3,990 3,904 3,881 7.7 7.6 7.6 Denali Borough 632 602 602 135 124 123 21.4 20.6 20.4 Fairbanks North Star Borough 45,652 45,288 45,067 2,979 2,970 2,881 6.5 6.6 6.4 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area 3,023 2,947 2,963 361 349 380 11.9 11.8 12.8 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area 2,466 2,410 2,395 515 461 497 20.9 19.1 20.8 Northern Region 10,493 10,519 11,294 1,269 1,178 1,235 12.1 11.2 10.9 Nome Census Area 3,801 3,777 4,082 516 479 507 13.6 12.7 12.4 North Slope Borough 3,987 4,015 4,317 261 249 252 6.5 6.2 5.8 Northwest Arctic Borough 2,705 2,727 2,895 492 450 476 18.2 16.5 16.4 Southeast Region 35,449 35,334 34,963 2,640 2,597 2,910 7.4 7.3 8.3 Haines Borough 905 879 916 114 118 154 12.6 13.4 16.8 Hoonah-Angoon Census Area 990 980 997 176 172 207 17.8 17.6 20.8 Juneau, City and Borough 16,991 17,040 16,644 861 850 862 5.1 5.0 5.2 Ketchikan Gateway Borough 6,476 6,548 6,411 500 475 568 7.7 7.3 8.9 Petersburg Borough 1,369 1,344 1,355 146 152 164 10.7 11.3 12.1 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 2,745 2,683 2,739 379 376 435 13.8 14.0 15.9 Sitka, City and Borough 4,140 4,024 4,066 224 212 237 5.4 5.3 5.8 Skagway, Municipality 589 600 605 125 132 154 21.2 22.0 25.5 Wrangell, City and Borough 1,024 1,014 1,013 89 89 101 8.7 8.8 10.0 Yakutat, City and Borough 220 222 217 26 21 28 11.8 9.5 12.9 Southwest Region 21,164 19,515 20,916 2,024 1,938 2,262 9.6 9.9 10.8 Aleutians East Borough 3,478 2,538 3,413 60 61 77 1.7 2.4 2.3 Aleutians West Census Area 5,141 4,602 5,026 108 126 119 2.1 2.7 2.4 Bethel Census Area 6,978 7,033 6,904 971 934 1,051 13.9 13.3 15.2 Bristol Bay Borough 246 233 237 34 33 34 13.8 14.2 14.3 Dillingham Census Area 2,053 1,951 2,015 196 183 207 9.5 9.4 10.3 Kusilvak Census Area 2,718 2,622 2,785 570 518 690 21.0 19.8 24.8 Lake and Peninsula Borough 550 536 536 85 83 84 15.5 15.5 15.7 P = Preliminary. As more information becomes available, data are revised every month for the previous month and again at the end of every calendar year. Note: The offi cial defi nition of unemployment excludes anyone who has not made an active attempt to fi nd work in the four-week period up to and including the week that includes the 12th of the reference month. Many in rural Alaska do not meet the defi nition because they have not conducted an active job search due to the scarcity of employment opportunities. 1 Unemployment rates that are not seasonally adjusted should not be compared with those that are. 2 The labor force is the sum of the unemployed and the employed. Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section; and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 17

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