|
|
|
|
Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
|
April 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Hello again. Spring is on its way in Anchorage, and we have plenty of things to tend to in the month of April. This newsletter will address a few of the items we're working on, and others where our loyal readers could help out. Make sure to note some of the relevant regional events and dates to remember at the end of this newsletter. Thanks for reading.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(POTENTIALLY) Good News for Ferry Service in Southwest Alaska
The House and Senate have voted on the supplemental spending bill for FY2010, and one of the biggest items of note for Southwest Alaskans is funding to restore twice-monthly ferry runs out along the Aleutian Chain. SWAMC has been pushing for this schedule change for years, and our delegation provided a huge 'behind-the-scenes' push to get this funding included. "It's been a priority for all four of my years in the Legislature," said Representative Bryce Edgmon (Dist. 37), referring to the twice-monthly schedule. "We got the funding included for one year, to take it through June 2011, which was in itself quite an accomplishment. But the challenge now is to convince the Governor not to veto the money [needed to carry out the extra runs], and to urge him to support it. The extra run is huge not just for transportation purposes, but for economic development as well," added Rep. Edgmon.
We urge readers to call or write Governor Parnell today to ask for his support for this change to the ferry schedule, which would have a positive impact for those communities along the Chain.
|
Seafood Labor Data (aka 'Where's the Crew'?)
SWAMC has been working on the issue of crewmember data collection for several years, and even though challenges still lie ahead, we are confident the project will continue to move forward. Last week, ADF&G held a stakeholder meeting in Kodiak to gauge interest in a potential pilot project in a Gulf of Alaska fishery in state waters. The meeting was attended by crewmembers, vessel owner/operators, small processors, the hatchery association, local business interests, and SWAMC. The attendees came away from the meeting feeling like the project is not DOA, as some might observe, but with a renewed focus to gain allies.
The number one priority for the project is to gain legislation that enables/requires crew data collection, and the most important objective is to start collecting data as soon as possible. Any feasible pilot study probably would not start until 2011, and it does not make much sense to do a study without having the enabling legislation. This data is very important to fishing-dependent communities, not just fishers themselves. If you support this project, please contact SWAMC's legislative delegation; the Governor; Departments of Fish and Game; Labor; and Commerce, and others who may have a stake in its outcome. The details of reporting and collection can be worked out, but another push will be needed to see this project succeed.
|
On the Energy Front
Last
Wednesday, the Obama Administration announced the support of development of
some oil and gas leases in Arctic waters off Alaska's coast, but they will not allow drilling in the federal waters near Bristol Bay. The decision cancels some North Aleutian Basin lease sales scheduled for 2011. Stanley Mack, Aleutians East Borough mayor, was frustrated by DoI Secretary Salazar's visit to Dillingham last year to gather public
input about drilling, rather than visiting Peninsula towns."It would have been
very beneficial for the secretary to hear from the residents closest to the
lease sale. They are almost all in favor of responsible gas and oil
development," Mack said. But Curyung Tribal Council chief Tommy Tilden of Dillingham
said he was overjoyed when he heard the Obama announcement on the radio
Wednesday."It's been a long hard fight," Tilden said. "[Bristol Bay] is
our breadbasket out there. ... It has all of the food we depend on." SWAMC
will continue to monitor and update our membership on further developments in offshore resource development decisions concerning the region.
.....................................................................................................................
Want
to stay up to date on all of the energy issues around the region and the state?
Check
out SWAMC's recently updated energy page to find out about energy issues for our region!
|
Southwest Alaska CEDS Update Nearly Complete
SWAMC's Planning VISTA, Brett Welcher, worked tirelessly for 9 months to update charts, graphs, and text to complete the update of Southwest Alaska's 2009 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The update was an extensive re-write of previous CEDS documents and contains more relevant and up-to-date material on economic issues facing Southwest Alaska, including renewable energy, seafood data, environmental concerns, technology improvements, transportation needs, and more. We invite you to visit our CEDS web page and weigh in with any comments. SWAMC's comment period will close on May 15, wherein the document will go to the Economic Development Administration for approval. The CEDS is a planning tool required by the EDA for investment grants, and is used as a 5-year road map for economic development strategies and goals for the Southwest region.
|
New Webpages
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has developed a new webage dedicated to public transportation grant opportunities, including rural transit. It will be updated frequently. Most grant applications come out in early spring. Out in Bristol Bay, BBEDC has introduced Bristol Bay Trader, a site designed to assist regional fishers in buying, selling and leasing
permits, and buying and selling fishing gear and equipment. |
|
|
|
Some of our Partners
|
|
Have a small business question? If so, visit
|
|
Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember
|
- North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Anchorage, April 6.
- Comments Due for NOAA Proposed Draft Catch Share Policy. April 10.
- 2010 ComFish Alaska, Kodiak. April 15-17.
- The Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Energy Summit, Anchorage. April 24-26.
- 6th Alaska Rural Energy Conference, Fairbanks. April 27-29.
- 2010 Alaska Rural Health Conference, Anchorage. April 28-30.
- Kodiak Archipelago Rural Leadership Forum, Kodiak. April 28-30.
- Alaska SourceLink Presentation, Kodiak. April 29.
- Comments Due to NOAA for King Salmon Bycatch in Bering Sea, May 7.
- 2nd International Congress on Seafood Technology, Anchorage. May 10-13.
- Fish Biz Small Business Course, Dillingham. May 21-22.
- 2010 Kodiak Crab Festival, Kodiak. May 27-31.
- Fish Biz Small Business Course, Naknek. June 4-5.
- REAP's 2010 Business of Clean Energy Forum, Anchorage. June 17-18.
|
As always...
|
Thanks for your support of SWAMC. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns and events. For previous newsletters, click the link below.
| |
|
|
|
|
