2010 promises to be a big year: the Winter Olympics, the US Census, and the World Cup (for us soccer fans) are just a few of the events around the corner. Not to be forgotten, the next Southwest Alaska Economic Summit & SWAMC Membership Meeting is scheduled for February 4-5, 2010 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Since we're entering a new frontier in terms of our region and our state's economy and political scene, this year's theme will be SWAMC 2010: A Place Odyssey. We will focus on the issues that make our area a great place to live and work, while continuing the quest for regional economic vitality.

The agenda is taking shape, and the meeting will include panels, presentations, and discussions centering around various development topics, including fish technology and innovation, rural transportation planning, building broadband infrastructure, and a Congressional update from our delegates in Washington. Similar to the past two years, we also plan to hold a one-day energy workshop the day before the conference, on February 3rd. In addition, we have extended an invitation to representatives of the President's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force to speak to us regarding the implications of their oceans policy report, due out soon. Finally, with 2010 being an election year, we will host a gubernatorial candidate forum during our banquet to round out the events. Registration details should hit your inbox very soon.

 

SWAMC's Board of Directors met in Anchorage over the weekend to discuss a range of issues important to the organization, in addition to strategic planning and updating our legislative position statement.

One of the things we'll be keeping an eye on is the Steller Sea Lion Biological Opinion (BiOp) that could have major implications on the fishing industry in Southwest Alaska. Recent research is being compiled to determine if more restrictions are necessary to protect sea lions in prime fishing grounds The BiOp should be completed by the National Marine Fisheries Service within the next couple of months, and then on to independent experts for review.

The Board also expressed the need to stay up to date on the work of the Ocean Policy Task Force, as referenced above. This group is now working on a framework for coastal and marine spatial planning, due to the President by December 9, 2009. We will keep members informed of both topics during the review process.

As we've discussed here before, the Alaska Partnership for Economic Development (APED) is a 501(c) (3) umbrella organization consisting of a variety of economic development entities committed to the development of an Alaska Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (ACEDS) and accompanying implementation plan. This initiative will identify, prioritize, and implement the state's economic development program.  Ultimately, this plan will provide guidance to the Governor, Alaska legislature, government policy-makers, regional economic development groups, and local community entities.
 
The Alaska Forward Initiative is an evaluation of the sustainability of Alaska's natural resource based economy, and comprised of two phases.  Phase One is a Situational Analysis of Alaska's economy.  Where does Alaska stand in our regional, national and global economies?  This analysis is to be completed by January 31, 2010.  Phase Two will use the Situational Analysis to construct an economic development plan and implementation strategy.  APED has retained the McDowell Group, IHS Global Insight and Economic Competitiveness Group for Phase One. 
 
You are invited to participate in the on-line survey component of the ACEDS Phase 1 Situational Analysis.  The ACEDS project, known as Alaska Forward: Toward a Next Generation Economy, will result in a roadmap for promoting economic growth and sustainability in Alaska today and for future generations of Alaskans.
 
The purpose of the survey is to collect opinions and ideas from Alaskans about our state's economic development opportunities and challenges.  The results of the survey will be used to inform the project team about Alaska's unique and diverse challenges and to help guide the development of a successful, comprehensive long-term economic development strategy.
 
If you are interested in information about the ongoing project, you can also sign up for the Alaska Forward e-newsletter.