WELCOME
Letter from the Chairman
BY PAUL THOMAS | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
We made it to summertime ! Tourism , cruising , boating , hiking , camping , fishing , golfing , softball , etc . - all the things that make it special to be in Alaska this time of year . Bringing customers into our establishments to celebrate a win , commiserate with a loss , or pick up products for an outing . We look forward to these activities and the corresponding increase in customer counts and revenues . However , at the same time , many of us still need help filling shifts to operate our business effectively . Due to staffing issues , businesses continue to be plagued by reduced hours and closures .
Here in Juneau , as in many other areas around the state , we are also fighting significant housing issues to retain current employees and seek potential new ones . Housing has become as large a problem to many employers as the general lack of available staff . A recent study by Southeast Conference identified housing as the top issue hampering business growth . But housing problems are not just a Southeast Alaska problem . In almost all the articles on the problem , short-term rentals are being looked at as one of the causes , with a discussion of regulation coming soon in several communities .
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REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF YOUR OPERATION , HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION ARE RAPIDLY BECOMING ONE OF OUR MOST SIGNIFICANT STAFFING ISSUES .
Housing assistance , either by securing or providing housing , has or will become part of our staffing strategies for many of us at some point . I ’ ve even had long-term employees that thought they had reliable housing come to find that instead of their landlord wanting to renew their lease , they are given 30 days notice to vacate . In addition , the changing market for landlords has led many to reevalu- ate how to market their inventory best , especially when changing to a seasonal rental or short-term rental makes the associated increase in the rental rate hard to pass up . This , however , can push many rentals outside what is manageable for many of our employees or even for higher-level staff and other professionals .
I ’ ve heard of many ideas and stop-gaps to try to fill the need . Surplus barracks in Homer , an old Alaska State ferry , eased restrictions on accessory dwelling units , business owners or investors buying housing and converting it to bunk houses , and new construction just for staff housing . Even the most basic campsites , yurts , and sheds are being rented out for workers to crash .
In addition to the housing issues our crews are dealing with , there is the transportation issue . In our businesses , our crew is often working long hours outside of when public transportation is running . Many are looking for housing in areas of town not served by public transportation . This adds to the complications immensely . I am currently trying to find a way to provide transportation for those hours and areas where public transportation is not available to ensure I can staff my business . As many of my workers don ’ t have vehicles , I can source staff further from the business for those late-night shifts if I can come up with a transportation solution .
Regardless of the size of your operation , housing and transportation are rapidly becoming one of the most significant staffing issues that we , as operators , will have to deal with shortly . Participating in local workgroups , discussions , and city or municipal committees as business owners will help steer potential options in a business-friendly manner . Please be involved in this issue and put forward your creative input and knowledge of what exactly your workers are looking for and need to be able to work for you and help support our communities with a robust and stable workforce .
ALASKA CHARR MAGAZINE | 2