Anchorage Daily Local Headlines: Housing funds, data centers, and election prep
Anchorage, AK – March 6, 2026 – Housing funds, data-center rules, election registration reminders, plus Iditarod and Fur Rondy weekend notes.
Top headlines
$1.3M aimed at expanding housing services
Anchorage officials say they plan to use $1.3 million in federal funding to expand local housing services, with a request for proposals open through March 26. The effort is expected to contract with local providers for added capacity and support tied to housing stability.
Assembly weighs guardrails for energy-intensive data centers
A proposed municipal code change would spell out clearer requirements for data centers and similar high-energy facilities, as local leaders look ahead to growth driven by AI and cloud computing. The draft focuses on basics like power availability, water and sewer capacity, and fire safety systems. Public comment is scheduled as part of the Assembly process, with another discussion planned for March 24.
Election calendar: register by March 8
The city is reminding residents that Sunday, March 8 is the deadline to register to vote or update a voter registration ahead of the April 7 regular municipal election. Anchorage uses a vote-at-home system, and ballot packets are expected to be mailed starting March 17. Voters can return ballots via secure drop boxes, at vote centers, or by mail with first-class postage. The deadline to request a ballot at a temporary address is March 31.
Weekend watch
The Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games are set to begin Friday evening at East High School and continue through Sunday. Events include alpine skiing and snowboarding at Hilltop, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at East, and floor hockey at Clark.
If you are out and about downtown, Fur Rondy snow sculptures are open to the public along Ship Creek Avenue through March 8, and local calendars are also flagging First Friday happenings plus the Iditarod ceremonial start on Saturday morning.
Sources
- https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/video/2026/03/05/anchorage-use-13-million-federal-funds-expand-local-housing-services/
- https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/03/04/questions-surrounding-data-center-development-arrive-anchorage/
- https://www.muni.org/Departments/Assembly/PressReleases/Pages/Reminder-to-Register-to-Vote-by-March-8th.aspx
- https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/03/05/special-olympics-alaska-prepares-2026-winter-games/
- https://alaskapublic.org/news/anchorage/2026-03-03/snow-sculpting-in-sub-zero-temperatures-a-different-kind-of-anchorage-fun
- https://alaskapublic.org/the-anchorage-weekender/2026-03-05/the-anchorage-weekender-iditarod-first-friday-and-6-more-local-events
