Military construction increases in Alaska

The U.S. Army is spending $202 million on construction projects in Alaska
The U.S. Army is spending $202 million on construction projects in Alaska
Although most areas of the construction industry face economic problems, military spending continues to be a boon for parts of the construction industry in Alaska.

According to the Fairbanks Daily-News Miner, the U.S. Army is working on hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects surrounding Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska which includes a $117 million housing construction project scheduled to finish up by November.

This is all part of the $202 million construction budget of the base this year which includes seven major construction projects.

Dave Miller, president of the Interior Alaska Building Association told the paper that these projects have an effect outside of the immediate companies performing the construction which extends into town to other businesses - from supply companies to clothing stores.

The Air Force also should be bringing jobs into the area with its planned projects which could cost around $20 million.

Construction has taken a major hit over the last year with the Commerce Department announcing yesterday that construction spending fell 5.1 percent in 2008 with new home construction dropping 27.2 percent from 2007.ADNFCR-2034-ID-19006889-ADNFCR