Guy would appear to be a political parasite. Latest deal was he wanted a tug boat posted out in the Aleutians to tow away any ship that got too near in the wrong place (at a cost of untold millions, and for something that might not ever happen).
No doubt the people in Seattle are impressed with his credentials. Maybe they should bring him down there to rescue seals in the Columbia or something.
Of course plants grow there. Their flowers are absolutely gorgeous and they have a good growing season. It’s not all snow and winter. Anchorage often has weather like ours in CNY, even in winter.
Much of Alaska's agricultural center is located in the Matanuska Valley. Because there can be up to 19 or 20 hours of sunlight there in the summer, much of the produce is HUGE!