On December 14, over 50 volunteers and 18 teams of kids aged 8-14 from Skagway, Petersburg, and Juneau came together at the Centennial Hall Convention Center for the Juneau Robot Jamboree FIRST LEGO League tournament. Participants showcased their months of hard work, competing for a spot in the State Championship, the Alaska Robot Rendezvous. Teams engaged in a judging session, demonstrating their teamwork and solutions to ocean-related issues, alongside their coding and robotics skills. They also participated in the 'Robot Game,' where they completed tasks using their self-built and coded robots in two-and-a-half-minute matches. Additionally, three FLL Explore teams, aged 6-9, presented their projects. The event's results are available on the FIRST in Alaska event results page.

Special thanks to our statewide sponsors: Alaska Airlines, Alaska529, ADC, JEDC, and the Alaska Department of Labor!

Call for FIRST Sponsors

FIRST ("For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology") offers accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people from the time they start school through high school graduation and offers opportunities for learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Through its continued success, FIRST is determined “to create a world where science and technology are celebrated . . . where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.” FIRST programs include:

• FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Discover for grades PreK-1,
• FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore for grades 2-4,
• FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge for grades 4-8,
• FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for grades 9-12, and
• FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) also for grades 9-12.

Help make this statewide program accessible for all Alaskan Youth!

Organized by the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC), the Innovation Summit is Alaska’s premier innovation event, bringing together entrepreneurs, business and industry experts, policymakers, researchers, and influential change agents from around Alaska and beyond. Experience popular components of this national award-winning event like the Alaska Airlines Pitch Contest, Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame Ceremony, Innovation Tours, Deep Dives, Innovation Shorts and more!

In 2025, we will focus on “The Business of AI” and explore effective tools and strategies for navigating the future. Learn how you can apply AI tools in your organization. Explore Alaska's AI competitiveness: What infrastructure does Alaska have? And what do we need? Consider ethical dimensions of AI in our economy and communities.

Join your fellow Innovators at the Innovation Summit!

Co-hosted with the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Airlines Pitch Contest brings together aspiring entrepreneurs who will pitch their business venture to a panel of experts, as well as the ultimate panel – Innovation Summit attendees! Pitch contestants will have 5-6 minutes to pitch their business plan in front of attendees who will crowdfund a cash prize for the winner to take home at the end of the session.

Pitch Contestants will have access to materials and resources on how to make a pitch as well as have the opportunity to practice and be coached by a seasoned entrepreneur.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your innovative project, work, or idea with Innovation Shorts, 10-minute presentations similar to a Ted Talk. Shorts offer conference attendees a glimpse into a host of topics that surround the larger conference theme. Each Short is just enough time to pique the attention of the audience.

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Innovation Shorts will feature an exciting lineup of over 25 innovative concepts! During the 2-day Summit, attendees will have the opportunity to delve into a diverse range of topics in breakout rooms. Presenters will showcase 10-minute presentations on innovative concepts related to the Summit theme: “The Business of AI“.

Todd Schur

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

True North Credit Union

JEDC would like to welcome Todd Schur as our newest JEDC Board Member. Todd Schur is Vice President of Marketing and Community Impact at True North Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Juneau. Todd grew up outside of Rochester, New York and earned a BA in Communications and Public Relations from the State University of New York College at Oswego. He relocated to Juneau in the Fall of 2021 after living in Portland, Oregon for the previous twenty-plus years. While in Portland, Todd was an entrepreneur with businesses in complementary healthcare, online retail, commercial and residential construction, as well as small business and non-profit consulting.



Todd is currently Vice President of the Rotary Club of Juneau and volunteers with a number of organizations in Juneau and Anchorage. In his free time you can find him hiking, fishing and spending time outdoors with friends.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to outgoing member Jake Carpenter for his time and service on the JEDC Board of Directors!

JEDC Platinum Investors

The Juneau & Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators Reports are an annual publication by the Juneau Economic Development Council, exploring trends in employment and earnings, demographics, education, construction, business and industry, and much more!

Read the full report and view past reports on our website.

Our Mission:

Bringing eldercare providers from across SE Alaska together to problem solve mutual issues, share program information & be a collaborative force for change.

Welcome to our new SREC Steering Committee members.

Wayne Stevens - Wayne has been in Juneau since 2004 worked for the Kodiak Chamber and for the State Chamber, where I was a registered lobbyist and have been recently retired from United Way after 13 years of service and was involved at United Way in the early days of the Southeast Regional Eldercare Coalition.

John Smith the III - married to Victoria Ann Johnson and is a father of 11 with 15 grandchildren. A member of the Eagle Nest Kaagwaantaan, he carries the Tlingit name Deike Latiin. Born in Sitka and raised in Juneau, he graduated from Hoonah High School and earned an Associate Degree in Automotive. John is a lifetime member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and has served on the Juneau Commission of Sustainability. He owns Smitty's Diesel & Automotive and "Popeye's Working Hands," and currently represents Juneau on the Southeast Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council and the Tlingit & Haida Community Council.

JEDC Gold Investors

The Juneau Economic Development Council was recognized by the 2024 Regional Forester Awards for our work with the Tongass Forest Revision Plan in the category for Partnership and Public Engagement.

The 2024 Regional Forester’s Awards for the Alaska Region highlights the exceptional dedication, collaboration and innovation demonstrated by nearly 700 Forest Service employees and their partners working in Alaska’s two national forests, the Tongass and the Chugach.

These annual awards, rooted in the core values of the Forest Service, celebrate individuals and teams that go beyond in fulfilling the agency’s mission and living its values across various categories.

The Tongass Forest Revision Plan Engagement team consists of Erin Mathews, Alana Peterson, Aaron Ferguson, Bob Christenson, Ralph Wolfe, Kat Lyons, Brian Holst.

To view the full list of winners visit the link below.

JEDC Silver Investors

The Alaska Development Corporation (ADC) distributed checks to 99 individuals, each totaling $3,217.27, amounting to nearly $320,000 in total. The funding was made possible through generous donations from local businesses, the tourism industry, foundations, and individuals in Juneau. ADC collaborated closely with the Juneau Community Foundation, which managed the donations and carefully reviewed applications from those affected by the recent disaster. This initiative exemplifies the strength and solidarity of our community in times of need. ADC is a 501c3 charity affiliated with the Juneau Economic Development Council.

This year’s Gallery Walk was a resounding success, attracting thousands of attendees who enjoyed local galleries, indulged in shopping and dining, and participated in some downtown festivities, like the complimentary Christmas Trolley and live holiday performances on Front Street. 

DBA proudly hosted the first ever Downtown Holiday Window Contest, featuring over 30 businesses that showcased their creativity in decorating their storefronts. A big congratulations to our top three winners: Bombshell Boutique Salon, The Aurora Projekt, and The Pottery Jungle!

DBA and the JAHC extend their appreciation to all the sponsors, businesses, volunteers, and everyone behind the scenes whose efforts made this unforgettable evening possible.

The Gallery Walk is proudly presented by the Downtown Business Association and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council.

JEDC encourages shopping locally and supporting local charities through the Local Change feature of the Local Frequency app.

Did you know Fred Meyer will donate to a charity of your choice when you shop with them?

Did you also know you can support STEM education in Juneau through the Alaska Development Corporation, a 501c3 Charity affiliated with JEDC? Choose Alaska Development Corporation via Fred Meyers or Local Frequency and support wonderful Juneau programs!

JEDC | Website