Q. What is the job market like for manufacturing and production workers? What does it cost to relocate to Alaska? -Gay

A. You know, I don’t believe that Alaska is just a hotbed for manufacturing and production. We don’t have factories, for instance, like you would find on the east coast and other parts of the country. The thing that comes closest to ‘production’ work that I can think of would be the fish canneries, but of course that is very seasonal. I believe there are a few small companies who make camper shells for on the back of pickups. You can look at the state jobsite at www.jobs.state.ak.us and perhaps get an idea of what is available.

As to the cost of moving to Alaska, that really depends on so many things. Where are you coming from? What are you bringing with you? That type of thing. With the price of gas these days, it can be a bit pricey as we are about 2,400 miles from Seattle. There is a good website at www.uhaul.com where you can actually find costs to bring a U Haul truck or van from anywhere in the U. S. That should get you started. We have found that an average of $50-$60. a nite for motels is about right on the Alcan. Of course, we look for the lower priced, yet clean ones. We usually do things to cut our costs of travel a bit. Like carry cereal and paper bowls and milk with us for ‘breakfast’….then make sandwiches in the car for lunch. In the evening we stop in a real restaurant and have ‘real’ food! Ahhhhh…that tastes good! Take care, Bonnie J.