The new Anchorage Rental Car Center at the city's international airport will open for business early Wednesday morning. More than 200 employees will work in the rental car center, which has a three-story lobby, and features 12 car washes that are stacked on three floors along with 16 fuel hoses and a vacuuming area. Venture Development Group worked with the rental car industry and the airport over the past several years developing the first private-sector delivery of this type of facility in the country. Venture managed all aspects including negotiations between Venture, the airport and the rental car companies, as well as financing, design, construction and facility startup and long-term management. "Finally, tourists and business travelers have a warm and convenient check-in process, then find their car in a garage without going out in inclement weather," said Mark Pfeffer, co-founder of Venture Development Group. "Everything is covered and protected." Travelers reach the airport by means of an existing tunnel. Total cost of the facility, the fifth of its kind in the country, was $63 million.

-- Anchorage Daily News