Agrium incentive bill signed

Agrium incentive bill signed

When Governor Walker was at Industry Appreciation Day in August he spoke of HB 100, known as the “The Agrium Bill” sponsored by Rep. Mike Chenault and promised to return to sign the legislation when the Speaker of the House could be present. And on Monday, September 12 at a joint Kenai/Soldotna Chamber of Commerce meeting he did just that stating that the re-opening of Agrium would not only benefit workers and the economy here on the Peninsula but benefit the entire state significantly through the value added component of turning gas into fertilizer and have an outward economic rippling effect adding jobs and taxes. Chenault, the prime sponsor of the bill joined the Governor in explaining the benefits of the unique tax credits at the meeting and in an interview with the Dispatch said, “It feels good to be able to take a piece of legislation and after working on it for some 3 years to get the legislature to agree to it and for the Governor to sign it feels like I’m doing my job. The bill is about jobs, job creation, value added and putting Alaskans back to work,” he said.

The closing of the largest nitrogen plant in the world was a shock felt throughout the Alaskan economy. The re-opening of the facility, which is still not certain according to Agrium officials, would mean a boost to the local economy says Chenault, “For the Peninsula it would mean a broadening of our tax base again and put about 100 people back to work just in operations and probably a few hundred more in the construction of the revamping of the facility and the value added to farmers in the Valley being able to buy fertilizer locally versus having it trucked or barged in from outside the state. We lost all those opportunities when Agrium closed their doors but now we have the possibility that those will return,” he said. With the Governor’s veto of other tax credits due to the budget crisis Chenault explained that the tax credits of HB 100 were unlike the credits that were vetoed, “These have to do with corporation tax credits not a direct benefit that they would receive. The only way Agrium would receive the credit itself would be if they were using natural gas from the State of Alaska off of State land so the at the same time the state would receive in the neighborhood of $15 million dollars in royalty payments. So while we may expend money on the front end we certainly receive it on the back end.” No additional word other than the Calgary based company is having discussions currently with potential gas suppliers in Cook Inlet.

Agrium incentive bill signed

More in News

Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘So proud of what we accomplished’

New Boys and Girls Clubs campus dedicated Saturday with a ribbon-cutting and donor recognition.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Graduate Paxton McKnight speaks during the graduation ceremony at Cook Inlet Academy near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Beginning a new season of their lives

Cook Inlet Academy graduates seven.

The wreckage of Smokey Bay Air plane N91025 is photographed after residents pulled it from the water before high tide on April 28, 2025, in Nanwalek, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of NTSB)
Preliminary report released on Nanwalek plane crash

The crash killed the pilot and one passenger and left the other passenger seriously injured.

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Most Read