The Alaska Energy Authority has been awarded a $21 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation to jumpstart construction of a massive cargo storage and warehouse facility at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
The entire project is expected to cost as much as $270 million and will ultimately be a 715,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility.
When completed, will be a cornerstone of the airport’s evolution into a leading global logistics hub that receives, stores, and ships fresh food and critical, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals in the U.S. and globally.
The project is known as “Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage” and is a business partnership with McKinley Capital Management of Anchorage, and Rocky Mountain Resources.
The grant, coming from USDOT’s BUILD program, will fund AEA’s participation in Phase 1.
“AEA’s role in the project calls upon its expertise to assure that the best of, cutting-edge technology will make the building a showpiece in energy-efficiency,” said AEA Executive Director Curtis W. Thayer. “The BUILD grant program is highly competitive and this award is recognition of AEA’s in-depth knowledge of innovative design, engineering, and project delivery.”
Thayer thanked Alaska’s congressional delegation and the governor for their strong support of the application by advocating for the grant, which he said will greatly enhance ANC’s shipping infrastructure, improve Alaska’s supply chain security, and create jobs for Alaskans.
Phase I construction is anticipated to generate 830 jobs, $56.9 million in labor income, and $147.6 million in Alaska expenditures.
Phase 2 construction is projected to generate an additional 1,245 jobs, $75.6 million in labor income, and $220.5 million in Alaska expenditures.
Once operational, ACCS expects to employ approximately 120 full-time employees and generate $9.1 million in labor income.
The Alaska Energy Authority is a public corporation of the state and is run by the same board that oversees the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority.
A majority of the public members of AEA/AIDEA’s board of directors that were appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy are serving in terms that expired this summer and are awaiting reappointment: Julie Sande, Bill Kendig, and Al Fogle all are riding on expired terms.
