Juneau Economic Development Council NEWS | April 2026 | | Sail into Summer with the Juneau Maritime Festival! | | |
Celebrate Juneau’s rich maritime culture, history, and commerce with thousands of your family, friends, and neighbors!
What to Expect:
- A *record* 128 Food & Vendor Booths!
- One People Canoe Society and the Yées Ḵu.oo Dancers
- Allen Marine Harbor Cruises
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration
- Fresh Grilled Seafood
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Seaside Sippin’ Beer Garden
- Tug-of-War Contest
- Musical performances, including the U.S. Navy Northwest 8-Piece Brass Band
- and much much MORE!
| | | | Check out the Official 2026 Event Guide! | |
| Support this Free Community Event! | |
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Sign-up for Harbor Cruises!
Get out on the water with one of our Harbor Cruises!
Enjoy the live entertainment of your choice and a no-host bar featuring beer, wine, a limited alcohol selection as well as Allen Marine classic “Glacier-itas", along with complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, all while you tour around beautiful downtown Juneau’s harbor!
12:00PM - Juneau Public Library Kids’ Cruise
1:30PM - Gastineau Channel Historical Society
3:00PM - Live Music with Sunny Porch
4:30PM - Live Music with The Beer Choir
Thank you to Allen Marine for donating their vessels and Delta Western for the fuel!
*Tickets will also be sold day-of (while supplies last).
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Buy Raffle Tickets!
Enter for a chance to win one of our GREAT prizes:
• Two (2) Round-Trip Alaska Airlines tickets for anywhere within North/Central America and Hawaii
• Two (2) tickets for Norris Adventure: Seaplane, Paddle, and Glacier Hike donated by Above and Beyond Adventures
• Two (2) tickets for a Whale Watch and Lighthouse Tour donated by Juneau Lighthouse Tours
Official drawing will be on May 22 at the JEDC offices.
| We invite youth teams and groups to sell tickets! Our tickets are sold for $10 each and your group will receive $5 for EVERY ticket you sell. If your team/group is looking to raise money this spring, please contact us! | | |
Bid in our Online Silent Auction!
Bid on one (or more!) items in our online silent auction. Your bid represents an investment not just in wonderful prizes, but in the continued vitality of our maritime community and the the community bonds that make Juneau truly special.
Thanks to our generous contributors of this year’s auction items: AJ Mine Gastineau Mill, Alaska Anglers Club, Alaska’s Capital Inn, Annie Kaill's, Barnacle Foods, Dangerous Waters Adventures, Glacier Gardens, Juneau's Imagination Station, M.K. MacNaughton, Raku Pottery Works,, and Wolfsong Wellness Boutique!
The auction will run from April 6 – May 12.
| | JEDC thanks to the generosity of our MANY sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose contributions make every part of this event possible, ensuring we can continue bringing our community together celebrating our collective maritime heritage. | | |
49th Estate Planning
Above and Beyond Alaska
Aetna
AJ Mine Gastineau Mill
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Anglers Club
Alaska Electric Light & Power
Alaska Glacier Seafoods
Alaska Music One
Alaska Navigation, LLC
Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Alaska State Council on the Arts
Alaska Waste
Alaskan Brewing Co.
Alaskan Brewing Public House
Alaska's Capital Inn
Allen Marine Tours
Annie Kaill's
Art Matters
Barnacle Foods
Bartlett Regional Hospital
Bobcat of Juneau
CBJ Docks and Harbors
Changing Tides Stitching & Quilt Designs
Coppa
Dangerous Waters Adventures
Dawson
Delta Western
Elgee Rehfeld, LLC
Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall
Finn's Alaska
Foodland ACE Hardware
Forno Rosso
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Glacier Gardens
Glacier Salt Cave & Spa
Goldbelt
Griz Bar
Hansen Gress
Harbor Mountain Brewing
Heritage Coffee Roasting Co
Huna Totem Corporation
IBEW
Imagination Station
Jensen Yorba Wall Architects
Jerry's Meats & Seafoods
Juneau Lighthouse Tours
Juneau Lighthouse ToursKey Bank
Kindred Post
MK MacNaughton/Sketch Studio
MNA (Mitchell Northern Acquisitions) Valley Lumber Company / Don Abel Building Supply
Odom Corporation
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
Petro Marine Services
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean Group
SEARHC
Taku Smokeries
The Alaska Squid Company
Tongass Federal Credit Union
Tracy's Crab Shack
True North Federal Credit Union
United Fishermen of Alaska
University of Alaska Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Juneau Sector
Wolfsong Wellness Boutique
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Salute to Sea Service:
A Celebration of Honor Atop the Goldbelt Tram
Thursday, May 7 | 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Goldbelt Tram & Timberline Bar and Grill
The Juneau Council of the Navy League of the United States invites you to “Salute to Sea Service” — an evening honoring the men and women of the United States sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine, whose courage and commitment keep our nation secure. The evening will open with a reception as guests board the Goldbelt Tram and ascend to the summit station. A buffet dinner will be served in the Timberline Bar and Grill at the top, headlined by a classic Baron of Beef and Lemon Pepper Halibut, a nod to Alaska’s proudest culinary traditions. The evening will culminate in a champagne toast in honor of those who serve — including distinguished guest Rear Admiral Jonathan Townsend, Commander of U.S. Navy Region Northwest.
All Salute to Sea Service tickets ($100 each) include a complimentary round-trip tram ride to the summit. Proceeds will support the 2026 Juneau Maritime Festival.
Don’t miss this special evening of great food, fellowship, and a chance to salute those who serve our nation at sea!
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JEDC is pleased to have assisted in the formation of the Juneau Council of the Navy League of the United States, a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America's sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine.
The Juneau Council is citizens joining in support of the the sea services in Alaska's capital city.Through membership, we unite those who are committed to supporting the sea services, advocating for a strong maritime defense, and building a community that stands behind those who serve at sea.
| | | STEM Summer Camps: Secure Your Spot TODAY! | | |
JEDC’s STEM Summer Camps have been a cornerstone of summer learning and childcare activities in Alaska's capital city since 2009. Designed to spark curiosity and build confidence, our camps help students develop critical thinking, problem solving, and technical skills while nurturing creativity and collaboration. Our trained and dedicated camp staff provide an exciting and enriching environment where young students can explore STEM through hands-on projects and challenges. Most of our camps are FIRST® LEGO robotics-based and supplemented by STEM-adjacent activities, including 3D design and printing, technical trades, and entrepreneurship.
This year's camps begin June 17 and they are filling up FAST with 230+ spots already filled! All camps are run on a “Pay-As-You-Can” fee structure, allowing registrants to choose an amount that works best for them.
| 2026 STEM Summer Camp Lineup* | | *All camps at Thunder Mountain Middle School unless otherwise noted. | | |
Campers (grades 1-4) use the LEGO SPIKE Essential motors, sensors, and programming to bring their LEGO creations to life! This is the robot used in FIRST LEGO League Explore.
• June 15 - June 19
• June 22 - June 26 FULL
• June 29 - July 3
• July 6 - July 10
• July 13 - July 17
• July 20 - July 24
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Campers (grades 4-8) will build and program the LEGO SPIKE Prime robots to complete challenges and end the week with a fun Sumo Bot tournament! This is the new robot being used for FIRST® LEGO League Challenge!
• June 15 - June 19
• June 22 - June 26
• June 29 - July 3
• July 6 - July 10
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This exciting camp for girls-only (grades 4-8) will design, build, and code SPIKE Prime robots and spend a fun week exploring the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
• July 13 - July 17
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This is an advanced camp for students (grades 5-8) with FIRST® LEGO League Challenge experience as they creatively apply programming and building strategies to complete FLL missions and compete in a challenging mini tournament, as well as undertake some basic programming in Python.
• July 20 - July 24
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Campers (grades 6-10) will use the free Tinkercad modeling software to build their design skills and learn advanced tips & tricks as they progress through two or more projects per day, including 3D printed trinkets, articulated creatures, multi-part assemblies, storytelling with characters and props, and candy molds.
• July 6 - July 10
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Experienced campers (grades will build and program a mini-FTC style robot along with designing and printing custom 3D robot attachments, and then testing and refining them on the field. The week ends with a fun, fast-paced tournament where campers put their upgraded robots to the test.
• July 13 - July 17
| | Thank You to This Year's Camp Sponsors! | | Registration OPEN for Trades and Entrepreneur Camps! | | |
Join us for the 4th annual Technical Trades Camp, an exciting 5-day exploration of careers needed in Juneau, in cooperation with local unions, strategically-chosen companies, and the University of Alaska Southeast.
Campers (grades 8-11) will experience hands-on learning and see behind-the-scenes with our industry partners, and learn about the many apprenticeships, internships, and job opportunities right here at home.
Transportation will be provided.
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Join us and the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce for the 2nd annual Entrepreneurship Camp designed to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, foster creative problem-solving, and introduce the fundamentals of launching and managing a business.
Campers (grades 6-8) will create and launch their own business; learn how to make and manage money, market their ideas, and develop leadership skills; meet local entrepreneurs; and pitch their ideas “Shark Tank” style to a panel of local business leaders!
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Through our programs, JEDC aims to increase interest and competencies in STEM fields – which are growing at more than three time the rate of non-technical jobs – organized around three strategies:
1. Offer STEM enrichment activities to students;
2. Facilitate professional development of teachers; and
3. Participate in advocacy and outreach to build public awareness and support.
Our work is guided by a commitment to hands-on, engaged learning that links students to real world opportunities and challenges in an environment of high expectations and discovery. We work with teachers and students, government and non-government organizations, not-for-profits, and increasingly, with Alaska's business and industry leaders to address the current and future STEM needs of the state.
| | | Building Futures in the Trades: Trade Up Juneau! | | |
Juneau is entering a major construction boom, with nearly $1 billion in projects starting in the next year. These developments will require 600–650 skilled laborers each year for the next four years—far more than the current local workforce can supply. Without local investment, many of these jobs will be filled from outside the region, reducing economic benefits and limiting opportunities for Juneau youth.
To address this need, Trade Up Juneau connects recent high school graduates with paid training, paid jobsite experience, and direct pathways into a career in skilled trades. Coordinated by the Juneau Economic Development Council and supported by a cross‑sector partnership that includes the Juneau School District, University of Alaska Southeast, local unions, employers, and community organizations, this program prepares local young adults with the necessary skills to take part in building Juneau’s future.
Participants will Gain:
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Paid Work Experience – $18-$22 per hour working with local employers and trade unions.
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Industry Certifications – OSHA safety training, First Aid/CPR, and workplace readiness credentials.
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Hands-On Jobsite Learning – Real-world construction experience alongside skilled professionals.
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Career Pathways – Connections to apprenticeships, jobs, and postsecondary training.
We are seeking:
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Interested participants – JSD students and recent graduates (age 18 and older) ready to gain hands-on skills, earn workplace safety certifications, and move into paid internships with clear pathways to postsecondary training, registered apprenticeships, and local trades careers.
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Local companies – Employers willing to host paid, on-site internships (for five to nine weeks) and help develop members of Juneau’s skilled workforce.
Help us connect local talent to local opportunities and strengthen Juneau’s long-term economic future through the trades!
Know a recent high school student that might want to apply? Please share the link below:
| | Thank you to True North Federal Credit Union and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines for making this program possible! | |
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Early Employer Spotlight:
Duran Construction
Thanks to Duran Construction for stepping up as one of our first Trade Up Juneau employer partners! This summer, Duran will hire a young General Laborer for a 10‑week paid placement, offering hands‑on experience, mentorship, and the potential for ongoing employment at the end of the program. This early commitment demonstrates the local construction industry’s willingness to invest in Juneau’s future workforce.
JEDC is seeking additional construction companies and trade partners to participate. If your business is interested, please contact Program Coordinator Charla Brown at cbrown@jedc.org or 907-523-2333.
| | | | Tongass Forest Plan Revision: Comment Period Ends May 6 | | Photo Courtesy of Michael Penn | |
JEDC is pleased to serve on the Tongass National Forest Plan Revision Plan Engagement Team, assisting the U.S. Forest Service with data collection, outreach, and public facilitation.
The Tongass National Forest Plan Revision is the process of updating the long-range blueprint that guides how the forest is managed for roughly the next 15 years. The plan influences decisions that affect commercial operators, including access, infrastructure, and permitting, as well as community-wide use and long-term business certainty across sectors such as fishing, mariculture, transportation, and timber. The current plan dates back to 1997. A revised plan will help shape how today’s working forest responds to changing ecological conditions, evolving communities, and modern economic realities.
The Forest Service is currently seeking feedback on preliminary plan content & proposed Species of Conservation Concern materials during a 45-day comment period, which ends May 6.
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Partner Feedback Forms* for Commercial Operators
JEDC and other Forest Service partners are hosting our own feedback forms designed to help commercial operators and business owners respond to preliminary Tongass Forest Plan Revision materials in a clear, structured, and practical way.
The questions closely track those used in the Forest Service’s April community meetings but allow operators to work through them on their own time—outside of meeting constraints or busy seasons. Together, these forms give commercial operators a way to connect proposed plan direction to real world business considerations and place-based impacts.
The forms are intended to support thoughtful input on how proposed plan direction and management area concepts may affect:
- Day to day business operations
- Long term investment and planning
- Access to forest areas and infrastructure
- Permitting timelines and predictability
- Compatibility between different commercial uses
The forms focus on two key areas:
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Draft plan content, including goals, standards, and guidelines that may shape future permitting, access, and use
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Draft management area map, which influences where and how different types of commercial activity may occur across the forest.
Responses submitted will be compiled and shared with the Forest Service to help inform this stage of the Plan Revision. Operators who want to ensure their views are also included in the formal federal record are encouraged to submit comments through the Forest Service’s official public comment system (see above) as well.
If you are using the partner survey tools (two different forms) please submit by May 3. We will submit all of your input to the Forest Service by the May 6 deadline.
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*These are NOT official U.S. Forest Service forms. They are being shared by many partner organizations, including JEDC, to lower barriers to participation for commercial operators, especially those who cannot attend public meetings due to work schedules, travel, or seasonal demands.
The goal is to help ensure that the Forest Service hears directly from people who rely on the Tongass as a working landscape and whose perspectives may otherwise be underrepresented.
| | | Economic Indicators: A Family Retention Strategy | | |
As our aging community grapples with continued population decline along with new municipal budget constraints, the decisions we make today will directly shape the future of Juneau.
At JEDC’s Innovation Summit this winter, we brought in a nationally-recognized interstate migra2010tion expert, Dr. Thomas Cooke, to help explain why Alaska has had the highest net outmigration in the country for the past decade. As Dr. Cooke noted in his keynote presentation, Alaska does not have an attraction problem—it has a retention problem. In Alaska, we are losing residents during the critical family-formation years (ages 28–40).
A clear retention strategy focused on families and the services and amenities that support people at this stage of life—quality education, recreation opportunities, affordable high-quality childcare, stable public services, and attainable housing—will help ensure Juneau remains a place where people choose to build their lives.
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JEDC proudly presents the latest edition of the Juneau & Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators and Outlook report to our community. The report is an annual publication exploring trends in employment and earnings, demographics, education, construction, business and industry, and much more.
Through this and all of our other research, we hope to increase awareness and engage citizens in local and regional economic issues.
As part of the rollout of this report, JEDC is pleased to give presentations to business and community groups on the state of Juneau's economy. If you would like to schedule a presentation, reach out to Brian at bholst@jedc.org.
| | | Investor of the Month: PREMERA | |
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The JEDC Investor Program is specifically designed to engage businesses and organizations who support economic development in Juneau.
Investment levels range from $700 to $10,000+ with increasing benefits. With our comprehensive and consistent marketing, your business will be recognized on the JEDC website along with all presentations, publications, newsletters, and collateral materials.
Best of all, your investment will contribute to a more prosperous Juneau!
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The team at Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is more than a benefits provider. We’re a strategic partner committed to your community, connected across the country, and invested in your long-term success.
Whether you have 1 employee or more than 100, we’re here to support you on the essentials – managing health plan costs, offering convenient and comprehensive care options, and delivering a hassle-free experience.
We’ve been in Alaska’s corner since before it was a state, combining our local roots with powerful solutions built for the modern workforce. Give your employees a health plan that works for them no matter where they live while benefiting you and your bottom line.
Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit Blue Cross Blue Shield licensed healthcare company that offers health plans in Washington state and Alaska.
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| | | 2026 Seasonal Job Openings | | |
JEDC is excited for the 2026 summer season and is looking to hire for the following positions:
Downtown Ambassadors
Do you enjoy helping others and talking to new people? Would you be able to represent our beautiful capital city to visitors in town for the day? Are you a resident of Juneau with knowledge of all the ins and outs for restaurants, trails, rides, etc? If this sounds like you, please apply to be a Downtown Ambassador!
This seasonal position offers flexible schedules (10-40 hours/week on days of your choice) and will end in October.
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Downtown Crossing Guards*
Juneau Welcome Guards support public safety and hospitality in the heart of Downtown Juneau during our busy season. This position will ensure the safe and orderly movement of pedestrians and vehicles at assigned downtown crosswalks and requires being alert, professional, courteous, and capable of sustained outdoor physical activity.
*Perfect for locals, visiting family, and college students home for the summer seeking short-term employment!
| | JEDC Investor Program: Invest in Juneau | | |
The JEDC Investor Program is specifically designed to engage businesses and organizations who support economic development in Juneau. By becoming a JEDC Investor, you will directly contribute to programs and initiatives that foster a healthy and sustainable economy: help make Juneau a great (capital) city; strengthen key regional industries; promote entrepreneurship and small business; develop next generation talent; and, deliver core economic development services.
Your investment will provide vital, flexible funding enabling us to act where the need is greatest: conducting timely and relevant research, responding to emergency situations, convening partners to address housing and workforce challenges, supporting small business startup and expansion through our lending and investment programs, and much more!
With our comprehensive and consistent marketing, your business or organization will be recognized on the JEDC website and all presentations, publications, newsletters, and collateral materials. Investment levels* range from $700 to $10,000+ with increasing benefits. Additionally, your sponsorship of specific JEDC programs and events (e.g., FIRST® in Alaska, the Innovation Summit, or the Juneau Maritime Festival) will increase your overall Investor recognition level.
*All packaging is customizable, and we look forward to connecting with you to discuss your company's goals, so you get the most return on your investment!
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Current Promotion:
Among other deals, our "Get $10 After Spending $100" promotion is currently running for Mar y Sol, Coppa, Seong's Sushi, Imagination Station, and Forno Rosso. Rewards accumulate in the app and can be spent at any local businesses that accepts TLF dollars.
Local Change:
Remember to "Round Up" in the app for a non-profit of your choice! New options include the Downtown Business Association, Juneau Animal Rescue, and Cancer Connection.
*Sponsorship Opportunity*
This closed-loop spending initiative keeps dollars circulating among Juneau businesses. If you share JEDC's commitment to local reinvestment, economic resilience, and the long-term health of the businesses that anchor our community, let us know.
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Creating more childcare capacity in Juneau by assisting new or existing
childcare providers to access, improve or expand the physical infrastructure needed to deliver a quality childcare program to more families.
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| | Southeast Alaska Revolving Loan Fund | If you have a project that will create or retain jobs in Southeast Alaska, JEDC could be the lender you've been looking for! | | | | |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aaron Morrison, Chair
Chancellor Aparna Palmer, Vice-Chair
Todd Schur, Treasurer
Melissa Kookesh, Secretary
Melissa Beedle
Trenton English
Keith Greene
Marc Guevarra
Brian Kleinhenz
Mayor Beth Weldon
Maureen Hall, Assembly Liaison
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JEDC's FIVE AREAS OF FOCUS
• Help Make Juneau a Great (Capital) City
• Strengthen Key Regional Industries
• Develop Talent
• Promote Entrepreneurship & Small Business
• Deliver Economic Services
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We invite you to invest in Juneau by becoming a JEDC Investor. Show your support of the work done to advance Juneau and Southeast Alaska's economy.
Supporting JEDC impacts the long-term economic success of Alaska's Capital City while creating a business climate that bolsters your business or organization.
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We welcome your thoughts and feedback!
If you find JEDC News to be of interest and value, please forward the newsletter to your friends and colleagues.
Brian Holst
Executive Director
Juneau Economic Development Council
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