Opinions

Dunbar is the only candidate with a real plan to get Anchorage’s economy on track

Forrest Dunbar understands that when tough times hit, we can’t just stick our heads in the sand or retreat backwards. While other candidates have focused on yelling and calling names, Forrest has quietly gone to work. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Anchorage right now.

We are community leaders and small-business owners who have worked with Forrest to put together a 10-point plan for jobs and economic growth in Anchorage. Forrest is ready to work with private sector partners, local businesses, nonprofits, churches, families and individuals to rebuild our economy and set Anchorage on a course for long-term economic prosperity.

The key points are highlighted here and the full plan is available at forrestdunbar.com/businessplan.

1. Beat COVID-19: 70% of eligible Anchorage residents vaccinated.

2. Get relief money out the door: $25 million distributed by July 1.

3. Leverage federal relief funds to regrow 5,000 jobs in 2021.

4. Make this the busiest construction summer in the past 10 years.

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5. Revitalize downtown and develop the East Downtown Design District.

6. Stabilize property taxes and secure financial independence from the state.

7. Initiate three new mixed-use and affordable housing projects.

8. Partner with the airlines to jumpstart domestic tourism this summer.

9. Recruit 10 companies to establish remote work satellite offices in Anchorage.

10. Make Anchorage the No. 1 outdoor recreation city in America.

Our community has made huge sacrifices to weather this storm. Schools were closed, businesses lost revenue, and we grew more disconnected. But due to that shared sacrifice, students are returning to classrooms, businesses are opening their doors, and, thanks to one of the most successful state vaccine roll-outs in the nation, we can look forward to spending the summer with the people we love.

But recovery is only a starting point. Forrest has articulated a long-term vision for Anchorage as a livable, walkable, working city, with growing local businesses, good-paying jobs and affordable housing. Anchorage can’t afford to look to yesterday’s ideas as the baseline for tomorrow’s economy. We need to look ahead, to a city with diverse businesses and job opportunities. A place where everyone from small-business employees to remote workers has the opportunity to build a fulfilling and prosperous career.

For a vision to be fully realized, it must be implemented correctly. This is where fact-based decisions and listening are vital. We need to make smart investments, both with our money and our energy. We need a mayor like Forrest, who is committed to learning from the research and who will listen to both business owners and workers.

Forrest has a proven track record of innovation. He was chair when the Assembly advanced the Municipal Light and Power sale, a game-changer for our long-term financial security. Forrest championed the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance — “mother-in-law” apartments that increase construction and allow seniors to age in place — and has voted for policies that rebuilt our first-responder teams and reduced the cost of housing. He knows that it will ultimately be the individuals and businesses who choose to invest in Anchorage that ensure our long-term prosperity. This means that the city must incentivize and remove barriers to doing business so that Anchorage can attract and retain new growth.

There is no question: Anchorage faced one of its toughest years ever in 2020. But if we want to create an economy of the future we have to tackle our problems together, not ignore them. We can look forward to a brighter, more prosperous city and get our economy on track if we embrace experience, vision and forward-thinking policy. Only one candidate in this election meets these three critical requirements: that’s Forrest Dunbar.

Jennie Armstrong is the founder of Wild Awake. Art Clark is a broker/partner with Alaska Real Estate Associates. Bronson Frye serves as business agent for the Anchorage Building Trades Council. Karen Hansen is an investment advisor representative for Woodbury Financial. Katherine Jernstrom is CEO and cofounder of The Boardroom. Ben Kellie is CEO of The Launch Co. Nolan Klouda is executive director of the Center for Economic Development. Andrew Mack is CEO of Kuukpik Corp. Eric McCallum is the founder of Arctic Wire Rope & Supply. Austin Schwartz is a co-owner of Uncle Leroy’s Coffee. Jasmin Smith is the founder of The Business Boutique. Amy, Cika and Michelle Sparck are the owners of ArXotica. Terria Ware is owner of Aztec Ounce Payee Services.

The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.

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