Anchorage Daily News

Learn the latest on natural gas plans

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce "Make It Monday" Forum presents Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority's Chief Executive Harold Heinze, who delivers an update on the state's natural gas plans, noon to 1 p.m., Egan Convention Center. RSVP by 9 a.m. Monday, 272-2401 or www.anchorage chamber.org.

Pro bono efforts earn honors for lawyers

Attorneys William Falsey of Feldman Orlansky & Sanders and Catherine Rogers of Hartig Rhodes Hoge & Lekisch were honored by the Young Lawyers Section of the Anchorage Bar Association for their community pro bono efforts. Falsey served as the 2007 President of the Young Lawyers Section and devoted his efforts to the high school mock trial competition featuring teams from throughout the state. Rogers organized the Covenant House holiday party in December.

Federal grants to be put to work

The Alaska congressional delegation recently announced the following business-related federal grants:

• $4.28 million to the Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science to fund the Alaska SeaLife Center Pinniped Research Program.

• $1 million to the OceansAlaska Marine Science Center to design and construct a shellfish research, development and training facility.

• $400,000 to the Petersburg Indian Association to fund the final design and heating system of the Elizabeth Peratrovich building.

• $371,600 to Bonasila Inc. to finance infrastructure and equipment for a salmon roe processing plant.

• $59,000 to the Southeast Conference Inc. for economic development district planning.

Bering Straits hits milestone with earnings

Bering Straits Native Corp.'s financial growth this year resulted in a big milestone -- the Nome-based company finally recouped the $28 million it lost prior to bankruptcy in 1989.

Also, for the first time, the regional Native corporation generated more than $100 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 31, according to the company's recent annual report.

Bering Straits said it generated $113.3 million in revenue in the fiscal year -- a 49 percent gain over the previous year. The company also earned a $6.9 million profit -- a 38 percent increase.

The company said its gains were mainly due to new contracts in commercial and government services and construction. It was the company's fourth consecutive year of earning a profit after suffering losses in the four years prior to 2005.

CIRI shareholders can expect dividends

Cook Inlet Region Inc. recently announced a third-quarter dividend of $8.50 per share. The typical shareholder who owns 100 shares of stock will receive $850. The Alaska Native corporation said it will distribute the dividend by mail and electronic deposit on Sept. 30.

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