Doug Griffin, ED

Doug is already busy visiting communities and meeting members, starting with a trip to Kodiak in October, and a planned follow up trip in November for Energy outreach. Doug excited to get to know the people of SWAMC and is making contact as part of our Membership Engagement Project. He'd love to hear from you, especially if you have suggestions for our upcoming Annual Conference!

Photo Courtesy of APICDA

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) was created by the Alaska State Legislature to encourage economic growth and diversification aimed at growing Alaska's economic opportunities, by providing access to affordable, long-term financing, and when appropriate, taking an ownership stake in a projects. Over the years, programs have changed based on the financing needs of Alaskan businesses. This flexibility allows AIDEA to respond to dynamic conditions as they change, while providing a stable and structured approach to building Alaskan assets.

 

A new program recently introduced by the Legislature allows AIDEA to expand funding for Arctic Fisheries infrastructure, if funds are appropriated. In 2014, Senate Bill 140 introduced by Sen. Lesil McGuire, and signed into law by Governor Parnell, included language that shore-based plants/facilities, and other assets used in support of a fishery in the Arctic to the list of eligible projects under the Arctic Infrastructure Development Fund, allowing financing to develop Arctic ports, roads, emergency services and telecommunications. While AIDEA has already funded arctic infrastructure, the proposed program, if fully funded, could vastly improve financing for critical and expensive infrastructure in Alaska's resource-rich arctic.   

 

Currently, the regulations are being finalized, although the fund did not receive a legislative appropriation in 2014. The bill enables AIDEA loans guarantees for fishing vessels, quota shares or individual fishing quota in federally-managed fisheries on a case by case basis, or to purchase, construct, improve or expand a shore-based plant, facility or equipment used in support of a fishery in the Arctic. The program allows for loans or guarantees to purchase quota by community-based nonprofits (non-CDQ), municipalities, and community quota entities. While this does not explicitly state where investment could occur, the geographic boundaries of the arctic include the Aleutians, so could be an opportunity for SWAMC communities at the center of the existing fishing and expanding arctic.    

 

AIDEA has invested in processors in Juneau and Sitka through the Loan Participation Program, and the AIDEA owned Ketchikan shipyard which in 2013 built the 136' freezer longliner, F/V Arctic Prowler. The stage is set, and opportunity abounds to capture value from the Bering and Arctic Seas, the only thing that remains is to seize the day!   

 

For more information, contact Michael Catsi, AIDEA Business Development.

Tustumena Replacement Design Study Report Available for Review

 

The Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Marine Highway System today announced that the Tustumena Replacement Vessel Design Study Report is now available online: dot.state.ak.us/amhs/tusty_replace 

 

The Design Study Report provides the concept design for the Tustumena Replacement Vessel including profile and deck drawings. The report details vessel characteristics such as length, capacity, layout, vehicle configuration and passenger amenities. The report also outlines estimates for vessel construction and projected annual operating costs. The Tustumena replacement preliminary design proposes a 330-foot vessel capable of transporting 250 passengers and 52 vehicles.

 

Email comments to dot.amhs.tustumenareplacement@alaska.gov 

The Alaska Arctic Policy Commission recently held its final meeting to discuss feedback on the draft Implementation Plan. Arctic policy is important to all of Alaska, the entire United States, and international partners. The Commission strongly encourages residents throughout the state to participate in the public process. Visit www.akarctic.com to download the draft Implementation Plan, and more.

  

The Implementation Plan contains recommendations that fall into four strategies: 

1. Addressing the response infrastructure gap in Alaska's Arctic;
2. Strengthening an Alaska Arctic science and research agenda; 
3. Supporting healthy communities; and
4. Promoting economic development of Alaska's Arctic resources.

Recommendations on economic development are an area that needs further work and the Commission asks the interested public to submit suggestions for recommendations on this important topic. Commission discussion has generated several potential topics around which new recommendations could be formed: small business development, access to capital, onshore and offshore development, and fostering entrepreneurship.