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Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
| October 2011 |
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Greetings!
Hello again and welcome to the latest monthly edition of SWAMC's e-newsletter for members and friends of the Southwest region. There's a lot to report this month, including trips to Dutch Harbor for the NPFMC meetings and Juneau for the Rural Energy Conference. So without further ado, here's the news. Enjoy the autumn colors, and thanks for reading.
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SWAMC Awarded USDA Funding to Study Broadband Potential USDA Rural Development Alaska recently announced that SWAMC was awarded a Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG), a program that supports regional planning activities to improve economic conditions in rural areas. "The Obama Administration has made a significant effort to bridge the digital divide by delivering broadband technology to rural Alaska. This RBOG will help to build on the infrastructure and provide increased economic development for Southwest Alaska," said Jim Nordlund, USDA-RD Alaska State Director.
This project aims to create economic development using existing and future broadband infrastructure in the Southwest Alaska region by researching best practices and most effective uses of broadband applications in rural economies. This baseline research will be used for a guiding plan addressing various economic, social and cultural development goals related to broadband, including: creating new or improved small business operations; generating effective health, education, and training services; creating efficiencies in delivery of government services; promotion of more information and communication technology entrepreneurs; and maintaining cultural and social connectivity throughout the Southwest Alaska region. SWAMC plans to start work on this project in the Fall, with an anticipated completion date of early 2012 to include new workforce and economic development opportunities for the region.
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North Pacific Fisheries Management Council - Notes from the October Mtg.
Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Prohibited Species Catch (PSC): Halibut - In theory, deciding how much to cut the proportion of unintended halibut bycatch should be straight forward enough. In fact, it is in a place like Southeast Alaska where the main stakeholders are halibut fishermen; however, in the SWAMC region, rolling back halibut bycatch in the groundfish fleet (trawl and hook-and-line) means trading one job for another. At least that is how the debate was framed that took place in Dutch Harbor this week as the Council heard testimony from halibut, groundfish, processing and community interests. At issue is whether imposing stricter halibut bycatch limits the capacity of the groundfish fleet, thus reducing community tax revenue and eliminating fishing and processing jobs. So, the question becomes: if there is a trade-off between groundfish and halibut, what is the level that best maximizes resource utilization? Further complicating the issue are claims from the groundfish fleet that, provided the tools, they could voluntarily reduce bycatch. Again, one would think this is a straight forward proposal - provide better tools. As with most things fishing, this is not the case of a simple decision. The tools requested are those of rationalization, and anyone involved in fisheries in the past 25 years knows that there is nothing straightforward about implementing rationalization programs. Thus, after two days of testimony and hundreds of pages of analysis the decision of the Council was passed. More information is needed to determine the effects of reducing halibut bycatch by 5%, 10% or 15%... or if it is time to start discussing a more comprehensive Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Rationalization program. Area 4B Community Quota Entity: Adak - With all the controversy surrounding rationalization and the allocation of ownership rights, one might be surprised to hear that an initial review of a program to establish a CQE program in Adak passed the Council and its Advisory Panel with near universal support. This is not to say that the Adak CQE is approved just yet; first the public has an opportunity to weigh in. This is likely just a procedural step as the Council passed a Preferred Alternative of support, so speak now or forever hold your peace. Good for you Adak. Comments on Council issues can be emailed to SWAMC,or mailed to: NPFMC 605 West 4th, Suite 306, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2252 |
What's New with SWAMC's Asset Mapping Project
The following update is from SWAMC's project intern, Sam Tappen:
Progress is coming along on the asset mapping process. I am putting the final touches on the data of the Human Capital section in our regional asset database. This has been an interesting subject that is going to bring a lot of insight to regional leaders and members alike. To illustrate an example of some of the data I've collected so far, this chart shows the number of workers employed in seafood processing within our region from 2006 to 2010 according to the Alaska occupational database. In 2010, the SWAMC region employed about two-thirds of the seafood processing workforce within the state of Alaska. This is just one measure of the well-established resources we contain in the Southwest and their magnitude in the regional and global markets.
We are now delving into the industrial base section of the database which is sure to produce some extremely relevant and beneficial information on the significance of our industrial clusters. We are especially excited to start analyzing this data so that we can discover where the greatest potential lies for productive and sustainable growth in Southwest Alaska. Be sure to check next month's newsletter for my next update on our asset mapping project.
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Southwest Alaska Transportation Plan Update
The Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has begun an update of the Southwest Alaska Transportation Plan (SWATP). Some of you may have survived the last SWATP update in 2004. This federally-required plan outlines how the area's roads, airports and ferries work together as a transportation system, and - most importantly - prioritizes transportation improvement projects that provide the biggest bang for the public's buck. Given the status of the federal deficit, federal funding for transportation improvements is likely to drop by up to one-third beginning in 2013. This makes transportation planning even more vital. Requests for federal funding will need to be better supported, and every community will need to carefully evaluate where to spend the limited federal dollars. A solid regional transportation plan leverages available transportation funding to support basic access needs, economic development, and community cohesion. DOT&PF's project team is currently gathering data on the region's transportation system, transportation issues, and needs - and will be holding community meetings in Naknek, Unalaska, and Kodiak in the next few months. To develop a plan that best serves Southwest Alaska they will need broad representation from Southwest Alaskans in the planning process. DOT invites you to join them at one of their public meetings: NAKNEK UNALASKA KODIAK Assembly Chambers Council Chambers Assembly Chambers October 20, 2011 November 1, 2011 November 15, 2011 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Go to: www.swaktransplan.com to follow the project's progress or to comment. Questions or comments can also be sent to [email protected]. |
Many Options for Rural Energy Needs...But What Fits?
SWAMC went down south to Juneau last week to take part in the Alaska Rural Energy Conference. There were many topics on the agenda aimed at reducing - or at the very least stabilizing - the cost of energy in rural Alaska, both in terms of electricity and space heating. We learned about financing mechanisms (tax exempt energy bonds, for instance); the Integrated Resource Plan being developed in the Southeast; and the prospects for using propane off the North Slope for Western Alaska villages (short answer: there is potential, but many questions still to be answered). Several successful SWAMC region projects were highlighted at the event, including wind -diesel in Kodiak and Kokhanok, hydropower in Atka and King Cove, and the geothermal potential of Akutan. Well done Southwest Alaska! Additionally, the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is beginning to undertake a regional energy planning process and SWAMC plans to play a role in what the future Southwest energy landscape looks like. There is no shortage of great ideas for energy solutions out there, it's just a matter of taking many moving parts and making them fit. On a related note, do you have a wood-fired heating project in mind for your community or school? If so, consider submitting a Statement of Interest to AEA to explore the feasibility of your project. SoI's are due by November 4. |
Southwest Alaska Monthly Indicator
As SWAMC staff began identifying the region's assets, the likely starting place was our most valuable sector: Human Capital. Economists have drawn general consensus that it is the human capital component of an economy that dictates its standing as "advanced."
The chart below (click to enlarge) describes the average wage by sector in the region. Overall, the government sector provides some of the best paying jobs; although not displayed is the fact that the private sector accounts for the majority, roughly 75% of all jobs. An exception to this employment mix is in Lake & Peninsula and Bristol Bay Boroughs, where government provides 72% and 43% of all jobs respectively. As can be expected, the best paying jobs are in Natural Resources and Financial Services areas, and the poorest paying sector is Food Services. Not surprisingly, the highest paying jobs statewide are in oil and gas extraction, an industry with no presence in Southwest Alaska.
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Some of Our Partners
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Thanks to Our FY2012 Members!
ABS Alaskan, Inc.
Adak, City of
AHFC
AIDEA
Akutan, City of
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Crab Coalition
Alaska Energy Authority
Alaska Groundfish Data Bank
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Alaska Village Electric Coop Aleknagik, City of
The Aleut Corp.
Aleutians East Borough
Aleutian Housing Auth.
Alyeska Seafoods
APICDA
Atka, City of
At-Sea Processors Association
Becharof Corporation
Boyd, Chandler & Falconer
Bristol Bay Borough
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
Bristol Bay Housing Auth.
Bristol Bay Native Assoc.
Bristol Bay Native Corp.
Chignik, City of
Commercial Fishing & Agriculture Bank
Crowley Petroleum, Inc.
Dillingham, City of
Egegik, City of
False Pass, City of
First National Bank of Alaska
HDR Engineering, Inc.
Icicle Seafoods
Katmailand
Key Bank
King Cove, City of
Kodiak, City of
Kodiak Inn -- Best Western
Kodiak Island Borough
Koniag, Inc.
Lake & Peninsula Borough
Larsen Bay, City of
Magone Marine
Marine Advisory Program
Marine Conservation Alliance
Marine Stewardship Council
McDowell Group
Mundt MacGregor, LLP
Northern Economics
Nushagak Cooperative
Ouzinkie, City of
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
Pedro Bay Corporation
Petro Star
Pilot Point, City of
Port Lions, City of
Qagan Tayagungin Tribe
Saint Paul, City of
Sand Point, City of
SAVEC
Shumagin Corporation
Spruce Island Development Corporation
UAF- Bristol Bay Campus
Unalaska, City of
UniSea
WACDA
Wells Fargo Alaska
Westward Seafoods
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Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember |
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As always...
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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.
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