JEDC News, July 2019

2019 JEDC Summer Camps a Great Success !

This year, 99 kids participated in JEDC's STEM summer camps! Our camps engage kids in healthy and active interaction with technology. Our summer camps all involve building and programming robots with fun activities throughout the day that help campers make friends, build teamwork and communication skills, think through problems critically, and keep kids moving throughout the day. They culminate in a presentation in which the kids demonstrate what they have learned and built.

JEDC joins with Economic Development organizations to Advocate for the State Economy!

On Monday, July 8, about 750 people gathered at the Capitol in Juneau for the Save Our State Rally to override the Governor's state budget vetoes. Governor Dunleavy recently cut $440 million from the state spending budget, in addition to the cuts already approved by the Legislature. This will have a drastic impact on the University of Alaska, the state's arts organizations, early education programs, and Alaska's most vulnerable groups, including the elderly and the homeless. Brian Holst, Executive Director of JEDC was one of the speakers at the rally. Holst spoke of the negative impact the budget cuts would have on Alaska's economy. The $440 million state spending cuts will lead to a loss of millions more in federal funding, and an increase in local taxes. Holst stated, "The damage by these cuts is not offset by increased permanent fund dividends. JEDC calls on the Legislature to Override."

The JEDC also partnered with the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation and the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District to pen a letter to the Legislature supporting an override of the vetoes. Local groups like the Juneau Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association, as well as other chambers and economic development organizations around Alaska have made similar calls. JEDC will continue to advocate for policy that fosters economic growth and vitality throughout the state.

Juneau FIRST LEGO League Team Happy Dave One of 20 Teams Selected Out of 200 to Compete at the The Global Innovation Award Ceremony in San Jose

H appy Dave, a team from Juneau, is the first Alaska team ever to be selected as a semi-finalist for the prestigious global award. The team won the statewide nomination for the second year in a row after being selected by judges at our statewide FIRST LEGO League Championship for having the most innovative project idea. Once nominated, the team had to complete a rigorous application process to have their project reviewed by an international panel of judges. There are over 40,000 FLL teams across the globe and just 200 are nominated to submit GIA applications. Happy Dave was proud to be among the 20 chosen teams! Congratulations to this talented team of young people!

FIRST activities in Alaska are coordinated by the JEDC with statewide funding from BP, Alaska Airlines, GCI, and ConocoPhillips and local support from DIPAC and Couer Alaska.

Click here to follow Happy Dave on Facebook
Click here to learn more about the Global Innovation Award

Announcing New CBJ Request for Information: RFI 20-054 - Eaglecrest Ski Area Summer Development

Eaglecrest's Board of Directors and staff are pursuing summer development in an effort to ensure the ski area's long-term operation, maintenance, and financial sustainability. Please review the complete Eaglecrest Summer Development Plan by following this link.

Commercial summer operations have been a long-term goal for Eaglecrest. As the community looks to balance the impacts of tourism's rapid growth, developing summer operations at Eaglecrest is a solution for Juneau to grow responsibly, alleviate summer capacity concerns in other neighborhoods, and secure the ski area's future.

In the coming weeks, Eaglecrest will publish an online survey and a public feedback submission portal to get more input. More information can be found here: https://skieaglecrest.com/news/

2019 Color Run Set for Sunday, August 18

Last year's Color Run was such a smashing success, the Downtown Business Association is hosting this event again, partnering with JDHS Cross Country team! Runners will gather at the Sealaska Heritage parking lot for registration at 9AM, and the fun run will begin at 10AM. Winding their way through downtown, runners will be splashed with vibrant colors at color booths along the way. The run will culminate at Cope Park with a hot-dog cookout, music by DJ Manu, and a drawing for several door prizes! Registration fees are only $20 for adults 18 and over, $15 for kids 10-17, and FREE for kids under 10. Early registration is available here, and the first 100 registrants get a free t-shirt! Come join this fun event and show your colors!

Why do you Choose Juneau?

As part of the Choose Juneau initiative at JEDC, we have started a weekly video series called "Why I Choose Juneau." Check out our weekly Why I Choose Juneau video campaign linked here. Send your short video of why you choose Juneau to Robyn Mesdag and we will post selected videos!

JEDC Welcomes New Member to the Team

Erika Stone joins the team at JEDC from Perseverance Theatre, where she served as Development Director. She will be working as Communications and Development Officer, and we are excited to have her on board!

Indicator of the Month:

Private vs. Government Sector Jobs in Alaska's Capital City

In the past 15 years, Juneau's private sector share of total jobs has continued to increase. Most recently, private sector jobs in Juneau account for more than 62% of total jobs in our economy, up from less than 57% in 2004. Private employment in Juneau peaked in 2015 and total employment in 2012, while Juneau government employment fell to its lowest point in the 15-year period. In fact, Juneau had more government jobs in 1984 than it does in 2018!

Become a JEDC Investor

We invite you to invest in Juneau by becoming a JEDC Investor. Show your support of the work we do to forward Juneau and Southeast's economy.

By supporting JEDC you are supporting the long-term economic success of Alaska's capital city, and creating a business climate that in turn supports your business or organization.

To learn more about our investor program, please visit www.JEDC.org/investors or send an email to Robyn.