JEDC News, September 2015

Southeast AK Recognized as a Center of Excellence in Research

Southeast Alaska has received official word form the State Committee on Research that it h as been recognized as a "Model Community of Excellence in Research." The ne w designation, whi ch was requested and received by the Research and Development Cluster facilitated by JEDC, helps to provide a positive spotlight on the outstanding researchers and research opportunities within the Southeast region.

Reach more about the Research & Development Cluster Initiative for Southeast Alaska on the JEDC Website .

Arctic Innovation Competition - Application Deadline Approaching!

For the 6th year, JEDC is co-sponsoring the UAF Arctic Innovation Competition. This exciting event is hosted by the UAF School of Management and awards over $25,000 in cash prizes to individuals and teams of all ages. All that's needed is an idea, no developed product or business plan required, and you can enter as many ideas as you like!

Visit their website to learn more and enter before the September 18 deadline!

Need some inspiration? Read this recent Newsminer article about one of last year's winners, Wylie Rogers, and his revolutionary hockey device.

Renewable Energy Cluster Supports National Drive Electric Week

The Electric Vehicle Initiative of the Renewable Energy Cluster Working Group supported by JEDC is celebrating National Drive Electric Week with a special event.

WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 3PM.

WHERE: Mendenhall Wetlands (Mile 6 Egan turnout)

WHO should come: Plug-in electric vehicle owners with their vehicles and anyone interested in learning about the benefits of driving an EV.

WHAT: Juneau photographer Ron Klein will be on hand to capture a panoramic photo of all the EVs lined up at this scenic site.

For more information, please contact: [email protected].

Juneau Forum on Alaska's Fiscal Future - September 30

As part of Governor Walker's initiative, "Building a Sustainable

Future: Conversations with Alaskans," JEDC is co-sponsoring a forum in Juneau to discuss Alaska's Fiscal Future at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, September 30 from 6PM - 9PM.

The forum is part of the current administration's efforts to "tap the wisdom, knowledge and commitment of Alaskans to meet our current challenges and ensure we have a prosperous future." All of the the resources and presentations from prior conversations around the state along with facts, figure s, and other important background information is posted here.

Add the event to your calendar and find other opportunities to join the conversation here.

JEDC Looking for Junior Achievement Volunteers for the 2015-2016 School Year

The Juneau Junior Achievement Committee, supported by JEDC, invites you to help Junior Achievement achieve its mission of empowering young people to own their economic success by volunteering to teach a program in a classroom.

Junior Achievement programs help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities.

To volunteer, please contact: [email protected].

2015-2016 FIRST Seasons Kick Off!

This year's challenges for the FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8) and FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) have been released!

FIRST LEGO League teams around the state (179 and counting...) are going on a Trash Trek! From collection, to sorting, to smart production and reuse -- FIRST LEGO League teams all over the state will be doing their best to solve problems created by trash in our communities. To learn more or get involved as a coach/mentor or volunteer at the Southeast Regional Tournament on December 12, visit fllalaska.com or contact Courtney at [email protected].

Juneau Coach training will take place Saturday, September 19th from 9AM - 2PM at JEDC - 612 West Willoughby Avenue. If you are interested in coaching FIRST LEGO League, please attend. If you cannot attend, but are still interested in coaching please email [email protected]. We still need coaches for MRCS, Gastineau Elementary, and Glacier Valley Elementary schools.

FTC Res-Q Kick Off Animation

FIRST Tech Challenge teams will face this year's "Res-Q" Challenge, building robots that climb ladders, engage rescue beacons and pick up debris from their playing field. Click the link to the left to watch the kick off video! JEDC is pleased to announce that JDHS and the IDEA homeschool program in Juneau will join the Thunder Mountain High School Robotics club in Alaska's FTC League this year!

JEDC Innovation Summit Chosen for the 2015 NADO Innovation Award!

The Innovation Summit will be on February 8-9, 2016. Stay tuned for early registration details.

We are pleased to announce that NADO, the National Association of Developme nt Organizations, has chosen the JEDC Innovation Summit to receive a 2015 Innovation Award.

NADO will be celebrating our accomplishments in regional developmen t at this year's reception in New Orleans on October 24.

NADO promotes regional strategies, partnerships and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America's local communities.

For more information on the Innovation Summit, visit our site at www.jedc.org/innovation.

Featured Economic Indicator:

Juneau's Federal, State and Local Government Monthly Average Wage Compared

Federal civilian jobs are the highest paying jobs in Alaska, and Juneau's federal government civilian jobs are among the highest paying in the state, with an average monthly wage of $7,645 compared to the statewide average federal monthly wage of $6,348 . However, just under 5 percent of Alaska's federal civilian jobs are located in Juneau. In comparison, Anchorage has almost 57 percent of federal jobs and Fairbanks has 19 percent. Consequently, some of the highest paying federal jobs are located in Juneau.

Juneau's average state government wage of $4,828 is also higher that the state average, but by a very small margin. As the capital city, Juneau has 16 percent of state jobs. Anchorage, the largest population center, has almost 41 percent of all state jobs, and Fairbanks has 20 percent. Again, Juneau's slight lead means that some of the highest paying state jobs are located in Juneau.

Juneau's average private industry wage is $3,577. However, comparisons with other communities cannot be made because one contributor to Juneau's low average private sector wage is the large percent of nonresident workers in Juneau's private sector workforce, most of whom are seasonal and earn only partial year wages. Almost 24 percent of Juneau's private sector workforce is nonresident, compared to 15 percent in Anchorage and 18 percent in Fairbanks.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section

JEDC Investor Spotlight: University of Alaska Southeast

JEDC wants to thank UAS for its ongoing support.

"The University of Alaska Southeast supports JEDC because economic development and post-secondary education and training are essential to the future of Southeast Alaska. UAS relies on JEDC's leadership in developing a shared vision and informed perspectives about future workforce needs in our region. With that valuable information, UAS can be even more effective in educating Alaskans for jobs that exist now, and also for jobs and economic sectors that are only now appearing on the horizon." -- Rick Caulfield, Chancellor of UAS

ABOUT UAS:

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is a small but dynamic public university that serves the needs of students, employers, and communities in Southeast Alaska and beyond. UAS has three campuses-Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka-and offers quality career and technical education plus baccalaureate and graduate education. UAS degrees are offered on campus and also online, providing flexibility for non-traditional students who balance their studies with work and family obligations. Prominent UAS degree offerings include those in liberal arts, marine biology, teacher education, power technology, mine training, business and public administration, fisheries technology, and health sciences. For more information, see: www.uas.alaska.edu

Invest in Juneau!

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