• Advocacy in Action

    The Fairbanks Chamber advocates at the local, state, and federal levels for policies that strengthen Interior Alaska’s economy, support a competitive business climate, and help our community remain a place where Alaskans can live, work, invest, and thrive.

    Apply for 2027 Committee Membership 2027 Juneau Fly-In

    Advocacy Overview

     

    The Chamber regularly submits letters, comments, testimony, and recommendations on issues affecting Interior Alaska’s business community.

    Local

    Letters on borough ordinances and projects that affect businesses, contractors, and construction.

    State

    Support and opposition letters on bills and budget requests, including AK LNG, oil and gas tax, workforce housing, and licensure compacts.

    Federal

    Requests to Congress and federal agencies, including FAA NEPA implementation, airport staffing, and the Dalton Highway corridor.

    Greater Fairbanks Chamber advocacy

    Advocacy Agenda

     

    The Chamber’s advocacy agenda provides a policy framework for supporting business prosperity, community strength, and long-term economic development in Interior Alaska.

    Download the 2026 Advocacy Agenda (PDF)
    Fiscal Stability & Permanent Fund Consolidation
    • Support consolidation of the Permanent Fund’s Earnings Reserve Account and Corpus into a single, sustainable fund structure that enables predictable and responsible draws.
    • Support a long-term, sustainable state fiscal plan that provides stability and predictability for businesses, investors, and communities.
    Energy, Infrastructure & Resource Development
    • Ensure adequate transportation, energy, and community infrastructure investments and agency cooperation to support sustained economic development.
    • Support policies and projects that ensure Interior Alaska has reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
    • Support responsible development of Alaska’s energy and natural resources, including Alaska LNG, North Slope oil and gas, mining, rare earth, and critical minerals.
    • Advance permitting, regulatory, and litigation reforms that improve certainty and support responsible development.
    • Leverage major federal policy packages and executive actions to ensure Alaska benefits from national policies and investments.
    Workforce, Education & Housing
    • Modernize and streamline certification and professional licensing systems to reduce duplication, improve predictability, strengthen workforce mobility, and reduce barriers to employment.
    • Ensure Alaska has adequate childcare and education systems to support a strong, ready-to-work workforce and meet employer needs.
    • Support the University of Alaska Fairbanks as the flagship institution of the state’s higher education system and as America’s Arctic University.
    • Expand the quality, availability, and affordability of housing to meet the needs of workers, families, and the broader community.
    Effective Government & Public Process
    • Ensure government offices are appropriately staffed to provide timely and effective services to the public and business community.
    • Support transparent and inclusive public processes that provide meaningful opportunities for stakeholders and businesses to engage on policies, plans, and significant development projects.
    Things We Oppose
    • Onerous mandates and requirements on businesses that weaken private-sector competitiveness and growth.
    • Targeted taxes that create uncertainty, discourage investment, or undermine long-term economic development.

    Letters

     
    2027 Letters

    2027 letters will appear here as they are published.

    2026 Letters
    • 10/9/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs ActView Letter
    • 10/1/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter on FAA Staffing and 24/7 Tower Operations at Fairbanks International AirportView Letter
    • 9/22/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter of Opposition to CWA Ordinance 2026-25View Letter
    • 8/18/2026Interior Alaska Letter of Support for Project JanusView Letter
    • 7/14/2026U.S. Chamber Letter of Support for the Build America 250 ActView Letter
    • June 2026Follow-Up: Senator Sullivan’s Transmittal of Chamber FAA NEPA ConcernsView Letter
    • 6/17/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for AK LNG Advancement and Fairbanks Spur LineView Letter
    • 6/12/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter Requesting State Action Needed to Mitigate FAA NEPA Policy Impacts on Alaska Airport DevelopmentView Letter
    • 6/12/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter Requesting Congressional Action Needed to Address FAA NEPA Implementation Impacts on Alaska AirportsView Letter
    • 5/28/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for AK LNG Tax Abatement and Recommendations for a Workable BillView Letter
    • 5/26/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for FY27 UAF Deferred Maintenance Capital FundingView Letter
    • 5/21/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for the Fairbanks 2028 Arctic Winter Games BidView Letter
    • 5/19/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for HB 193 Paid Sick Leave Seasonal ExemptionView Letter
    • 5/14/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for Port MacKenzie Rail ExtensionView Letter
    • 5/12/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for HB 184 AIDEA Workforce Housing Development FinancingView Letter
    • 5/12/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for SB 124 and HB 131 Nurse Licensure CompactView Letter
    • 5/8/2026Federal Partnership Needed to Strengthen the Dalton Highway as a National Strategic CorridorView Letter
    • 5/8/2026Fairbanks Chamber Opposition to SB 21 AK Work and Save ProgramView Letter
    • 5/7/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter of Appreciation FY26 Federal Highway Trust Fund State Match FundingView Letter
    • 5/7/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for ARRC Healy Canyon Bridge ReplacementsView Letter
    • 5/6/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for SB 280 Alternative Volumetric TaxView Letter
    • 5/6/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for HB 381 Alternative Volumetric TaxView Letter
    • 5/1/2026Fairbanks Chamber Letter of Support UAF FY27 Deferred Maintenance Budget RequestView Letter
    • 5/1/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for House Bill 13 Municipal Property Tax ExemptionsView Letter
    • 5/1/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for Senate Joint Resolution 30 Supporting Military Investment and Infrastructure in AlaskaView Letter
    • 5/1/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for Key Professional Licensure CompactsView Letter
    • 4/8/2026Fairbanks Chamber Support for HB 314 and SB 246View Letter
    • 3/17/2026Fairbanks Chamber Comments in Opposition to Oil and Gas Tax RewriteView Letter
    • 3/17/2026Fairbanks Chamber Comments in Opposition to CS for House Bill 124, AIDEA Accountability ActView Letter

    Committees

     

    Advocacy committees advise the Chamber on issues that may affect our members. Help shape the future of Interior Alaska by lending your expertise to the Chamber’s policy-making process. Committee applications are due December 2, 2026.

    Who Can Join?

    Any employee of a member organization in the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce may apply to become a voting member of the advocacy committees listed below.

    Open to Guests

    Guests are welcome at any Chamber committee meeting. Membership is not required. We encourage you to attend a meeting or two to learn more about each committee’s focus and activities.

    Apply for 2027 Committee Membership Join a Committee Distribution List
    Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

    Mission Statement

    The Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee advocates to advance Interior Alaska’s energy independence through responsible, science-based resource development and diversified energy production. The Committee supports the Chamber in ensuring the economical delivery, production, and end use of energy for residents and businesses, while advocating for the responsible development and stewardship of Alaska’s natural resources through informed, collaborative, and technically grounded policy decisions.

    Meeting Time

    9:00 - 10:00 AM on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month

    Committee Chair

    Rick Solie
    Rick Solie Tower Hill Mines
    Email Contact · (907) 328-2815

    Voting Members

    • Genevieve Bell, Flowline Alaska (Vice-Chair)
    • Ashley Bradish, Golden Valley Electric Association
    • David Fish, Aurora Energy
    • Terri Froese, TDL Staffing
    • Tyler Kilgore, First National Bank Alaska
    • Vanessa Larimer, Black Gold Transport
    • Eric Matson, Lynden
    • Joni Scharfenberg, Fairbanks Soil & Water District
    • Justin Seavey, Usibelli Coal Mine
    • Elena Sudduth, Interior Gas Utility
    • Clayton Beethe, Harvest Midstream

    2026 Key Focus Areas

    • Alaska LNG Project (lateral line and alternatives)
    • Oppose Oil & Gas / Mining Tax Increases
    • Energy (production and costs)
    • Permitting & Regulatory Reform
    • Electric Transmission
    • Natural Resources (in addition to energy and agriculture)
    Government Relations

    Mission Statement

    The Government Relations Committee advocates for strengthening Interior Alaska’s economy by advancing business-friendly policies that support investment, housing, innovation, and livability. The committee supports the Chamber in proactively monitoring, evaluating, and influencing legislation, regulations, and public policy to ensure a strong, competitive, and predictable business environment for both the Interior and the State of Alaska.

    Meeting Time

    9:00 AM every 2nd and 4th Tuesday

    Committee Chair

    David van den Berg
    David van den Berg Downtown Association of Fairbanks
    Email Contact · (907) 452-8676

    Voting Members

    • Andrew Adlesperger, Holland America Princess
    • CB Bettisworth, Bettisworth North Architects and Planners
    • Jimi Cash, Legacy 6 Construction
    • Chris Darrah, Shannon & Wilson
    • Cheyenna Kuplack, Doyon, Limited
    • Vanessa Larimer, Black Gold Transport
    • Sarah Lefebvre, Exclusive Paving & University Redi-Mix
    • Meg Nordale, GHEMM Company
    • Lisa Putnam, Usibelli Coal Mine
    • Meadow Riedel, Kinross Alaska
    • Andrew Rossow, Golden Heart Waste Management
    • Elena Sudduth, Interior Gas Utility

    2026 Key Focus Areas

    • Housing
    • UAF Initiatives & UA President’s Residence in Fairbanks
    • Permanent Fund Corpus Consolidation
    • Alaska LNG
    • Meet the Match Transportation Funding
    • Professional Licensure
    Transportation & Infrastructure

    Mission Statement

    The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advocates to maintain and modernize Alaska’s transportation and infrastructure systems to improve safety access, and economic vitality across the Interior and Arctic. The committee supports the Chamber in advocating for strategic investment in roads, rail, aviation, utilities, terminals, and public facilities that reinforce Fairbanks as Alaska’s transportation hub and expand the region’s capacity to support statewide and international commerce.

    Meeting Time

    7:00 AM on Thursdays

    Committee Chair

    Roger Brown
    Roger Brown Middle Fork Logistics
    Email Contact · (907) 987-4715

    Voting Members

    • Pat Cotter, RESPEC
    • Tom George, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
    • Lori Harmon, Individual Member
    • Doug Isaacson, Individual Member
    • Tyler Kilgore, First National Bank Alaska
    • Vanessa Larimer, Black Gold Transport
    • Sarah Lefebvre, Exclusive Paving & University Redi-Mix
    • Chris Miller, Design Alaska
    • Clark Milne, Individual
    • Melissa Osborn, DOWL
    • Brenna Schaake, Kinross Alaska
    • Juliet Shepherd, Shepherd, et. al.
    • McKenna Staudenmayer-O’Keefe, Alaska Auto Rental
    • Christy Terry, Alaska Railroad
    Workforce Development & Education

    Mission Statement

    The Workforce Development and Education Committee advocates to strengthen Alaska’s current and future workforce by supporting a high-quality education system, expanding workforce training opportunities, and promoting policies that help workers and families thrive. The Committee supports the Chamber in advocating for strong collaboration among educators, employers, and policymakers to better align education, training, and workforce needs across Interior Alaska.

    Meeting Time

    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month

    Committee Chair

    Naomi Mitchell
    Naomi Mitchell Alaska Resource Education
    nmitchelL@akresource.org

    Volunteer Committee Members

    • Debra Steed, UAF CTC
    • Juanita Webb, Explore Fairbanks
    • Vanessa Larimer, Black Gold Transport
    • Andrea Wade, FNSB School District
    • Monique Love, Alaska Auto Rental
    • Katrina Erick, Doyon Foundation
    • Shelby Cook, Literacy Council of Alaska
    • Tricia Cray, Great Harvest Bread Co.
    • Sharon Senkalski, TDL Staffing
    • Andrew Adlesperger, Holland America Princess
    • Jacqueline Muehlbauer, Individual
    • Amanda Langhorst, UAF CBSM
    • Shea Bredlie, Alaska 529
    Military Affairs

    Mission Statement

    The Military Affairs Committee advocates for strengthening Interior Alaska’s position as the nation’s Arctic defense hub by supporting military readiness, mission growth, and long-term investment. The Committee supports the Chamber by fostering strong partnerships between the military, local businesses, and the community to enhance the strategic, economic, and national security value of Alaska’s military installations.

    Meeting Time

    9:00 - 10:00 AM on the 2nd Friday of each month

    Committee Chair

    Tom Hough
    Tom Hough University of Alaska Fairbanks
    Email Contact · (907) 474-5526

    Voting Members

    • Michael (Mick) Braun, Individual
    • Roger Brown, Middle Fork Logistics
    • Charity Gadapee, Explore Fairbanks
    • Ron Johnson, Centinel Public Partners LLC
    • Tim Jones, Doyon Utilities
    • Megan Murray, Alaska Waste
    • Lisa Putnam, Usibelli Coal Mine
    • Vanessa Larimer, Black Gold Transport
    • Mallory Williams, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation

    2026 Key Focus Areas

    • Housing
    • Military Installation Mission Support

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