On Tuesday March 2, AEDC along with Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau, Anchorage Downtown Partnership and the Chugiak/Eagle River Chamber of Commerce launched Anchorage First, a campaign targeting Alaska’s quietest retail months. The campaign is meant to build consumer confidence and provide a boost to the local economy. National consumer confidence index figures released last week show a steep decline posting its lowest level since April 2009.
“Local consumers are watching the national headlines and taking it to heart,” said Bill Popp, president/ CEO of Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. “Saving is prudent, but a little confidence will make a big difference in our local economy and workforce.”
Campaign organizers are encouraging local residents to invest in the community by shopping locally, instead of online or out of state. If each Anchorage household with an income of $50,000 or more were to spend as little as $50 a month locally, for the next three months, campaign organizers believe the local economy would benefit from an injection of as much as $10 million.
Bill Popp, President and CEO of AEDC, presented the 2010 AEDC Economic Forecast and Business Confidence Index to a full house at the Dena'ina Convention and Civic Center at noon today. The crowd was also addressed by Governor Parnell and Mayor Sullivan. In addition, Superfreakonomics co-author Stephen Dubner was the keynote speaker.
AEDC Annual Forecast Luncheon headlined by author, Stephen Dubner
The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation will host “SUPERFREAKONOMICS” author, Stephen Dubner, as guest speaker for the AEDC 2010 Annual Forecast Luncheon on Jan. 27, at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. The event is open to the public and will include a look back at the 2009 Anchorage economy and forecast for 2010 by AEDC.
