On Friday, March 30th, several hundred seafood enthusiasts- Alaskans and non-Alaskans alike- gathered in Anchorage to celebrate the accomplishments of the Community Development Quota (CDQ) program after 20 years in existence. There were speeches given by Rep. Don Young and Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich as they addressed the importance of this program to Western Alaska communities.Plenty of recognition was also given to the late Senator Ted Stevens for his instrumental role in shaping the program back in the early 90's. Each of the current CDQ Directors and their top management teams gave a few remarks about the challenges they have dealt with and the accomplishments they have made on behalf of their respective regions over the past two decades. SWAMC was glad to be on hand for this great event, and we look forward to working with our CDQ groups over the next 20 years as we continue to develop and improve the economic conditions of Western Alaska.

The Division of Economic Development's (DED) business retention and expansion program is gearing up to support, promote and retain business opportunities for the marine trade business sector, and the ports and harbors where this economic activity is focused. The Division hopes that the effort will illustrate how vital, extensive, and valuable this often overlooked and under promoted economic sector is to the state's economy, to regional /local maritime communities, and to the people who work in these jobs. DED has prepared a survey to help identify immediate needs, future plans, and opportunities for affected businesses in the sector. Targeted businesses include Shipbuilding & Repair, Marine Logistics & Fuel, Transportation (all modes), Marine Construction, and other Allied Marine Industries and Services. Click here to participate in the Alaska Maritime and Marine Trade Business Service survey.   

The Alaska Visitors Statistics Program (AVSP) recently released its Version VI Report compiled by the McDowell Group. Southwest Alaska is in one of the most competitive regions in the State for gaining a proportion of all visitors coming to Alaska; currently, Southwest receives only 4% of all visitors, leaving the remaining 96% for future potential. A show of strength is the region's ability to attract an increasing proportion of visitors, Southwest Alaska is the only region that increased its proportion of Alaska visitors between 2006, at 3%, and 2011, following the recession, at 4%. The entire Southwest region, especially Kodiak, incurs longer visits than nearly all other regions, averaging 7.5 and 8.3 nights respectively; both showing improvement over 2006 stays.

Tourism dollars are a source of basic sector activity, or new income infused into the economy; that is, tourism indirectly drives other sectors of the economy, and is thus very important to the health of the overall economy. The vast majority of visitors to Alaska come from the US, 83% in 2006 and 85% in 2011. A small shift from domestic to international travelers contributes a slight increase in new money entering the National economy, rather than just transferring money from the lower-48 to Alaska, which is still new money for US. On average, each visitor traveling by air contributes $1,455 to the Alaska economy.