ANCHORAGE — The University of Alaska Fairbanks plans to close its cooperative extension service offices in Sitka and Anchorage by the end of October.
Thirteen jobs will be affected by the closures, with all but one of those in Anchorage, KTVA TV in Anchorage reported.
Some of the ‘employees may be able to transfer to other positions within the extension service system, University of Alaska Fairbanks spokeswoman Marmian Grimes said. She told The Associated Press on Wednesday that three of the Anchorage positions are grant funded and officials will have to figure out where they will continue to be housed.
The extension service program relies heavily on state funding and faces a $1 million cut. While the state budget isn’t finalized yet, Grimes told the AP that the decision to close the two sites is fairly solid.
Alaska’s largest cooperative extension service office in Anchorage offers community classes on a range of topics, from gardening to energy efficiency. Annual rent is $250,000. University officials decided that by closing that office, the money could be used to keep extension offices open in areas that need the services more.
There are 10 other extension service offices in: Bethel, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kodiak, Nome, Palmer, Soldotna and Thorne Bay. There also are affiliate offices with the Tanana Chiefs Conference and Eielson Air Force Base.
Grimes said it is anticipated that Anchorage-area 4-H programs will continue.
