Business News

On June 8, 1972, CIRI was incorporated as one of 12 land-based Alaska Native regional corporations, with 6,276 original enrollees.

CIRI is grateful that while 2020 presented significant challenges, the company delivered overall strong financial performance.

CIRI subsidiary North Wind Group closed out 2020 with exciting news.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profoundly negative impact on the U.S. economy, the warehousing and logistics industry is one of the few sectors where employment is actually higher than before the pandemic.

After several years of planning, entitlement, development and marketing efforts, in February, CIRI effectuated the sale of its Makahu’ena Estates development.

2020 has proven a challenging year for well-managed businesses throughout Alaska and across our nation.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CIRI is focused on innovation, identifying opportunities and defining new ways of working.

Two CIRI Land Development Company (CLDC) subdivisions—Escondido North and Ladera—achieved important milestones in 2019.

2019 proved to be another exceptional year for CIRI subsidiary North Wind Group, with record-breaking financials, a new office location, prestigious safety awards and recognition in top industry publications.

Christopher (Chris) Leichtweis serves as president and CEO of the North Wind Group. We sat down to talk with him about his role and what he sees for the company’s future.

Changing demographics will shape Alaska’s future economy.

On May 21, CIRI entered into a lease agreement with Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. that authorizes exploration of a gold- and zinc-rich deposit in a private inholding within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

How does CIRI pay its resource revenue distributions? To answer this question, the Raven’s Circle recently sat down with Rhonda Oliver, vice president, CIRI corporate controller.

2018 proved an exciting and challenging year for CIRI that ultimately resulted in solid financial performance.

Strong financials, new office locations, and numerous awards and industry recognition – 2018 proved a banner year for CIRI subsidiary North Wind Group.

On Nov. 15, 2018, the Merritt I-66 Business Park development received the “Best Research and Development/Industrial/Flex Project Award.”

The word “audit” is known to strike fear into the hearts of companies and organizations. However, that’s not the case at CIRI.

A controversial ballot measure that threatened improvements to roads, runways and other public infrastructure, Ballot Measure No. 1 was struck down by voters on Nov. 6.

Please join CIRI in welcoming Daniel Mitchell as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Targeting a promising oil and gas prospect, CIRI joined fellow Alaska Native regional corporation Doyon, Limited in drilling the Totchaket #1 well.

On June 19, Constantine Metal Resources, a Canadian mineral exploration company, signed a letter agreement with CIRI to study a gold and zinc-rich deposit on CIRI-owned land in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

For the first time this summer, the Kenai River Sportfishing Association will assist CIRI in issuing permits to members of the general public who wish to access CIRI lands along the Kenai River for the purpose of sportfishing.

The so-called Yes for Salmon ballot initiative that would overhaul regulations affecting virtually any type of project in Alaska came before the state Supreme Court April 26. The court will decide if the initiative is constitutional.

When it comes to wind energy, it seems reasonable to assume that the windiest months produce the most energy. Not so, says Chris Jimenez, operations manager for the Fire Island Wind Project.

CIRI understands that young people represent our future business leaders. Where it can, CIRI is happy to share knowledge with them – whether they are CIRI shareholders or descendants, or simply members of the communities in which we work and do business.

In the early 2000s, Phoenix, Ariz., was one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. But in 2008, in the midst of the Great Recession, Phoenix housing prices declined quickly. Numerous Alaskans flocked to the area to purchase second homes or investment properties at bargain rates.

In 2017, CIRI set an ambitious goal: to grow the company’s asset base to $1 billion. This encompasses everything the company owns, including the value of our business operations, investments, buildings, real estate and equipment.

On Jan. 16, Yes for Salmon (formerly Stand for Salmon) submitted 49,500 signatures to the Alaska Division of Elections in Anchorage – enough to likely place its proposal on the ballot in 2018.

The Alaska Law Review recently published an article focusing on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Section 7(i). It was co-written by Ethan Schutt, CIRI’s senior vice president, Land and Energy Development.

Targeting a promising oil and gas prospect, CIRI will join fellow Alaska Native regional corporation Doyon, Limited (Doyon) in drilling the Totchaket #1 well this summer.

An 85-acre shopping center with nearly 50 dining, entertainment and retail options, Tikahtnu Commons serves the growing needs of Anchorage, Eagle River and the Mat-Su Valley.

Dark and early on Nov. 9, demolition began of the structure that previously housed China King restaurant on Fireweed Lane in Anchorage.

The results are in: Alaska Native corporations (ANCs) are a major force in Alaska’s economy. Of the 49 top revenue-grossing Alaskan-owned businesses, 22 are ANCs – more than any other industry.

Across Alaska, residents will soon be confronted by signature-gatherers asking them to sign a controversial new ballot initiative that claims to “Stand for Salmon.”

Tara Sweeney, executive vice president of external affairs for Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), has been nominated by President Donald Trump to the position of assistant secretary of Indian Affairs.

For five years, the Fire Island Wind Project has powered Anchorage.

The idea for a commercial-scale wind project was first vetted in the late 1990s by Chugach Electric Association, Alaska’s largest electric cooperative.

In an effort to bring consistent environmental and commercial standards to future gravel mining agreements, CIRI, six village corps. and one in-region ANCSA group signed a Universal Gravel Agreement July 28.

As CIRI’s land development project on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i nears completion, several local honored guests and neighbors, along with execs from CIRI, participated in a traditional Hawaiian dedication/blessing.

In the spirit of working together, CIRI and Eklutna Inc. recently signed an agreement to open a gravel pit in north Eagle River, Alaska.

CIRI-affiliated nonprofit organization Cook Inlet Tribal Council recently announced plans to build a new residential inpatient addiction treatment center on land owned by Eklutna Inc.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke met with the AFN board of directors and the Alaska Congressional delegation June 1 at the Fireweed Business Center, CIRI’s corporate headquarters in Anchorage.

Specialty finance is a term applied to a new line of business CIRI is developing in which the company makes debt investments that are ultimately backed by large, existing industry assets with which CIRI is familiar.

Please join CIRI in welcoming new tenant Umialik Insurance Company to the Fireweed Business Center!

Just off a busy traffic corridor 30 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., lies the city of Manassas, Va., a highly sought-after location for light industrial developments.

The hits just keep coming. On the heels of several other contract wins, Weldin Construction was recently awarded a five-year Multiple Award Construction Contract at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan.

CIRI recently released its 2016 Annual Report. This document summarizes the company’s performance last year and contains information readers can use to better understand CIRI’s business and investments.

CIRI’s Fireweed Business Center, the company’s corporate headquarters in Anchorage, recently achieved LEED Gold certification.

A wind turbine project three miles off the coast of Anchorage, Fire Island Wind supplies clean, renewable energy to approximately 7,000 homes in southcentral Alaska.

Considered one of the most powerful and efficient on the market, the software developed by CIRI to manage its shareholder records can now be adopted by other Alaska Native regional and village corporations.

In September 2016, CIRI debuted its new online shareholder portal, Qenek. The portal was designed to interface directly with the Granite shareholder records management system.

In the ebb and flow of the real estate market, a CIRI-owned development in Texas is beginning to flow. A master-planned subdivision 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, Escondido North provides high-quality homes at entry-level prices.

With a prime midtown Anchorage location, Cook Inlet Housing Authority’s (CIHA) new mixed-use building combines retail and residential space in a sleek, energy-efficient design.

CIRI subsidiary North Wind Group announces the acquisition of Portage, Inc. (Portage) and all its subsidiaries.

When you work for North Wind Solutions (NWSol) at its project site in southern Ohio, it’s never “just another day at the office.” That’s because the office is the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Natural gas has for years been becoming the fuel of choice for new power plants looking to supply low-cost energy while curbing carbon emissions. CIRI is among the companies investing in this growing energy market.

Up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Alaska would be wise to check out the Alaska Economic Development Corporation’s (AEDC) “Where to Startup” video series.

Tenant changes are underway at the Fireweed Business Center, CIRI’s corporate headquarters.

To better protect area residents, maintain firefighter safety and provide decision space in the event of a wildland fire, a cooperative effort has resulted in a multiyear project to construct a fuel break around the community of Sterling, Alaska.

PFD Automatic Voter Registration
Alaska voters: The initiative will appear on the November 8, 2016 General Election ballot.

Hilcorp, one of the nation’s largest privately-held oil and natural gas exploration companies, continues to make significant investments in the Cook Inlet region.

A video game that delves deeply into the traditional lore of the Iñupiat people, “Never Alone” was developed in collaboration with nearly 40 Alaska Native Elders, storytellers and community members.

High above the bustling streets of midtown Anchorage, the sun’s solar energy is now being used to help power CIRI’s new Fireweed Business Center, the company’s corporate headquarters.

Greg Razo, a CIRI shareholder and company executive, has been recognized as a White House “Champion of Change.” Annette Evans Smith, president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, was recently nominated as a member of the National Council on the Arts.

For his many years of service, CIRI extends its appreciation to Charles “Chuck” G. Anderson. A member of CIRI’s Board of Directors for nearly 30 years, Anderson served as Board chair from 2005 to 2013.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) recently announced the sale of CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation. Shareholders with email addresses on file at CIRI received an advisory message regarding the sale.

Tikahtnu Commons continues to expand with the recent addition of Anchorage’s very first Panda Express Chinese restaurant. With the addition of this business, Tikahtnu Commons is now approximately 95 percent built out, with only a handful of storefronts still available for lease.

CIRI has sold its property management company, Pacific Tower Properties Inc. (PTP), to the Alaska real estate development company Pfeffer Development, LLC , owned by Mark Pfeffer.

CIRI Land Development Company has broken ground on its 1,100-acre planned community in San Antonio, Texas.

CIRI is pleased to announce that Chad Nugent is the new vice president of the company’s Real Estate business sector.

For the seventh consecutive year, North Wind Group (NWG), a CIRI company, has been recognized by Engineering New Record (ENR) as a top environmental firm.

What a year! The other interns and I had a blast this summer working behind the scenes at CIRI and getting to know the nice folks who make up the corporation.

Fire Island Wind workers complete safety training course.

CIRI works with Weldin Construction to improve curb appeal at 2525 C Street.

The Board of Directors for CIRI’s wholly-owned design/build construction subsidiary, CIRI Services Corporation (CSC), is pleased to announce the selection of Jared Edgar as the company’s new president, effective June 17.

You won’t find a Qwik Lube on Fire Island. When you need an oil change at CIRI’s wind energy project just off the coast of Anchorage, you have to call a pro and charter a plane.

The Inspector of Elections has certified that CIRI shareholders elected five incumbent directors to the CIRI Board of Directors at the company’s 2015 annual shareholder meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 6.

The 42nd Annual Meeting of CIRI Shareholders, held in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 6, at the Soldotna Sports Center, saw a healthy turnout.

CIRI subsidiary Silver Mountain Construction is currently working on a unique project for the Coast Guard to design, build and install a remote helicopter refueling system and shelter on Sitkinak Island just south of Kodiak.

CIRI’s Real Estate department is excited to announce that the website for the Ladera property in San Antonio, Texas, is now live.

The company headquarters is now located in the Fireweed Business Center at 725 E. Fireweed Lane, Suite 800, Anchorage Alaska 99503

Three new stores recently opened their doors at CIRI’s Tikahtnu Commons Retail and Entertainment Center, with a fourth retailer expected to open in June.

Third Tikahtnu Forum Economic Summit held.

Tim Lingle has a few undead elk on his hands. “We get a lot of false notifications that elk have died,” Lingle explains over the phone from his office in Pinedale, Wyo.

CIRI and Nabors Industries completed the sale of Alaska Interstate Construction (AIC) in December. AIC and its Canadian operating company were acquired by Cruz Construction Inc., based in Palmer.

Imagine working outside in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the winter. It’s not uncommon for the thermostat to linger at 20 below while ice fog encases everything in a seasonal tomb of frost.

If you’ve driven down the Seward Highway in midtown Anchorage recently, you have noticed an exciting development taking place at CIRI’s Fireweed Business Center. With the installation of its windows over the past few weeks, the true look of the ending aesthetic is taking form.

Ten years ago, CIRI invested in the 491-room Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa near Austin, Texas.

[lightbox link=”http://www.ciri.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC-0619.jpg” thumb=”http://www.ciri.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC-0619-200×300.jpg” width=”300″ align=”left” title=”The new Verizon store at Tikahtnu Commons.” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=”When Verizon began service in Alaska in September, one of the …

In just seven years, Tikahtnu Commons has become Anchorage’s largest retail and entertainment center, representing one of CIRI’s most successful investments.

KTVA-TV, Anchorage’s CBS affiliate, recently reported on new developments at CIRI’s Tikahtnu Commons Retail and Entertainment Center.

When you’re operating in a construction zone, with heavy equipment maneuvering about, the number one priority for successful companies is safety.

In April, CIRI shareholders will receive their 2013 CIRI Annual Report, which will detail the results of CIRI’s business operations and investments.

CIRI staff have been actively protecting CIRI’s land and resource rights at the Kenai Loop gas field since the summer of 2013 against trespass and uncompensated gas production by Buccaneer Alaska, LLC (Buccaneer), the operator of the field.

Plans for a private subdivision in Hawaii took a significant step forward last month when the Kauai County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources …

Even by Alaska standards, the community of Hyder is remote. Nestled at the head of a 130-mile fjord on Alaska’s southern border with Canada. Hyder …

Every summer, tourists and Alaskans alike flock to Seward looking for an unparalleled experience on the waters of Resurrection Bay and deep within Kenai Fjords National Park with Kenai Fjords Tours (KFT), a CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation (CATC) subsidiary.

Shareholders living in Anchorage may have noticed some recent activity on a couple of CIRI owned parcels this past month.

Alaska Tour & Travel announced CIRI Alaska Tourism’s (CATC) Seward Windsong Lodge as the top rated Seward hotel in 2013 as selected by their clients.

Shareholders interested in running for the CIRI Board of Directors as a write-in candidate, including those individuals not selected for the Board recommended slate, will have an opportunity to submit information for inclusion in CIRI’s election materials.

CIRI Alaska Tourism (CATC) is accepting applications for the 2014 tourism season to fill a variety of positions at its lodge and restaurant operations in …

CIRI has joined two other partners to become the new owners of one of Anchorage’s largest office complexes, which features the tallest building in Alaska.

The late arrival of winter has allowed significant progress on the site work for the Fireweed Business Center in Anchorage. Deep utility installation was completed …

The Fire Island Wind project celebrated its one year anniversary in September, just in time to begin work on what could become the second phase …

CIRI among top Alaska companies

CIRI to conduct seismic tests for Stone Horn Ridge UCG project

North Wind seeks Alaska operations manager

North Wind evacuates Los Alamos fire area

Tikahtnu Commons Supports 2011 Gold Nugget Women’s Triathlon

NordAq applying for permits

Margie Brown to co-chair Alaska Forward

Fireweed Theatre acquisition

North Wind Inc. pairs with company to combine expertise and technology

CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. celebrates three awards

CIRI tourism manager wins Anchorage award

ANC R&D wins Washington engineering, construction contract

Board write-in candidate information due Feb 26

Alaskans honor Hawaii senator

CIRI director receives national business award

CIRI receives national minority procurement award

CLDC signs major tenant to office park

More new stores at Tikahtnu Commons

Talkeetna lodge chef instructs Anchorage cooking class

CIRI publishes Facebook page

CIRI board extends president/CEO’s contract

Alaska Heritage Tours wins award

Veteran lodge manager named interim COO

CIRI supports full-time ANSEP chair at UAA

CIRI tourism subsidiaries win Princess Cruises award

CIRI partnership to erect San Antonio hotel next year

CIRI market investments impacted by volatility in financial markets