Juneau Economic Development Council NEWS | March 2025 | | The Juneau Maritime Festival | | |
May 3rd, 2025, 11 AM – 7 PM at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza
Celebrate Juneau’s rich maritime culture, history, and commerce with 80+ vendor booths, live music, FREE kid’s activities, beer garden, fresh grilled seafood, harbor cruises, tug-o-war, and special appearances by the One People Canoe Society, Yees Ku Oo Dancers, and maritime services, including the USCG and Navy!
| | | | We invite you to support this exciting community event honoring an important local industry. This event would not be possible without the help of our supporters. All expenses are covered through the financial contributions of our sponsors. Major expenses include purchasing supplies and insurance, equipment rental, and professional time spent coordinating and promoting the Festival. | | |
Harbor Cruises
Why limit your Juneau Maritime Festival activities to the shore? Join us on May 3rd and 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 Tours’ classic “Glacier-itas”. There will also be complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available, all while you tour around beautiful downtown Juneau’s harbor!
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JEDC STEM is committed to increasing competencies and interest in STEM Fields, achieved through programs like FIRST in Alaska and our STEM Summer Camps | |
2025 LEGO Robotics Camps
2025 Other STEM Camps
- Entrepreneur Camp (dates and registration - TBA)
- 3D Design and Print Camp
- Technical Trades Camp (dates and registration - TBA)
| | | A huge round of applause for all FIRST in Alaska teams that participated this season! Also a congratulations to the five Alaskan teams who are participating in post season championship meets! Good luck! | | Thank You Statewide Sponsors | | Economic Indicators: Population by Age Group | | | | |
For the fifth consecutive year, Juneau has experienced a decline in its population across the 0-19, 20-39, and 40-59 age groups, while the 60+ age group has seen an increase. This ongoing trend reflects an aging demographic in the region. Notably, Juneau's median age rose from 39.9 in 2023 to 40.3 in 2024, significantly higher than the state average of 36.9 years for 2024.
The decline in Juneau's population can largely be attributed to a persistent decrease in natural increase, coupled with net out-migration in most years. In a development, 2022 marked the first year on record where the number of residents aged 60 and older surpassed those in the 0-19 age group, highlighting a significant demographic shift over the past decade. Back in 2014, there were nearly 3,000 more individuals aged 0-19 than those aged 60 or older.
Read the full report and view past reports on our website.
| | Southeast Regional Eldercare Coalition | | |
Our Mission:
Bringing eldercare providers from across SE Alaska together to problem solve mutual issues, share program information & be a collaborative force for change.
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The Southeast Regional Eldercare Coalition is pleased to report that their recent Resource Fair in Sitka, held on March 6 in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the City of Sitka Department of Parks and Recreation, was a great success. The event attracted 95 seniors who enjoyed lunch and engaged with various vendors from the Southeast Region and Anchorage.
The Coalition is partnering with the Alaska Small Business Association to develop business tool kits aimed at enhancing social service programs. They are also in discussions with potential partners to coordinate a pilot program for Medicaid Environment Modification services in Southeast Alaska.
More updates will follow as the Coalition continues to explore additional initiatives!
| | Investor of the Month: Hansen Gress | |
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JEDC Investor Program
The JEDC Investor Program offers comprehensive and consistent marketing. By joining the JEDC Investor Program, your organization will be recognized on all JEDC presentations, collateral materials, websites, and monthly newsletters.
Investment levels range from $700 to $10,000+ with increasing benefits.
Best of all, your investment supports economic development programming in Juneau and beyond!
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Trust is in our tagline. Mindfulness is a core value.
Hansen Gress has been providing services to clients in Alaska for over 20 years. We are proud of our commitment user experience.
We think IT support should be better, and we are building a support product that raises the bar every year. Our clients have learned to set their sights high, but most other small businesses are still settling for less.
Hansen Gress clients enjoy being able to raise their expectations for performance year-after-year. Customers have learned that Hansen Gress will deliver. We have identified the following as key components to success: providing help right when you need it, truly reliable systems, honest and professional staff, zero data loss, and a well-engineered service that just keeps expanding.
Hansen Gress specializes in managed IT. Trust your Tech.
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| | | Visitor Products Cluster Working Group (VPCWG) | | Join the Visitor Products Cluster Working Group! | | Letter to Alaska Congressional Delegation on USFS Staffing | At the March meeting of the Visitor Products Cluster Working Group visitor industry members proposed writing a letter to members of our US Congressional Delegation expressing concern about USFS staff reductions that could adversely impact the visitor industry and visitor experience this season. We thank those who volunteered to edit a letter, attached. To ensure the concerns of the Visitor Industry are heard, the attached letter to Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Congressman Begich was delivered to each of them. | | Invest in Juneau in 2025! | | |
The JEDC Investor Program is specifically designed to engage businesses and organizations who support economic development in Juneau. With our comprehensive and consistent marketing, you will be recognized on all JEDC presentations, websites, newsletters, and collateral materials, as well as gain access to exclusive news and events and other sponsorship opportunities. Investment levels range from $700 to $10,000+ with increasing benefits. We’re pleased to offer improved benefits in 2025, including increased recognition, event access, and an exclusive JEDC Investor newsletter! Packaging is customizable, and we look forward to connecting with you to discuss your goals so you get the most return on your investment!
Please consider investing today by visiting JEDC.org/invest! You will join an outstanding group of business and industry leaders who support JEDC's work and believe in Juneau's future.
Any questions or concerns, or want to learn more? Please don't hesitate to contact our Investor Support Team at invest@jedc.org or 907-523-2326.
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Forbidden Peak: Egan is Lava
Egan is Lava 2025 will be April 18 - May 4! That's an all-new THREE weekends of Egan is Lava! Get your space outfits ready this year!
For the uninitiated Egan is Lava is an annual A to Beer Fun Half Marathon between Devils Club Brewing Co. and Forbidden Peak Brewery.
All ages, any route, either direction, any form of human transportation! Stay tuned for this year's award categories!
#eganislava
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When you use the Local Frequency app to pay at Forbidden Peak get:
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5% in app cash back when you pay with Local Dollars
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3% in app cash back when you pay with Credit, Debit, or Cash
Local Frequency is an app based loyalty and rewards program that rewards customers for shopping at local businesses. Rewards can be spent at any business that "Accepts Local Dollars". Download the free app today in the App or Play Store.
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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!
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Fred Meyer offers a Community Rewards program. When you shop with your Fred Meyer's reward card they will donate to a non-profit or charity of your choice! To support STEM and FIRST Robotics, including our STEM Summer Camp programs, make sure you choose Alaska Development Corporation for your donations.
How to opt in:
- Visit www.fredmeyer.com.
- Sign in or create an account.
- Click on "My Account".
- Click on "My Community Rewards".
- Search for "Alaska Development Corporation". Or your favorite Alaska non-profit!
- Click "Enroll".
Your purchases well help donate to our wonderful Juneau programs.
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Local Change is a feature in the Local Frequency app that allows users to opt in to round up their Local Frequency purchases to donate to a non-profit of their choice.
How to opt in:
- Download the Local Frequency app.
- Go to "More"
- Click on "Setup Local Change"
- Choose "Alaska Development Program" or a local non-profit of your choice.
- Choose a round up amount.
- Start Local Change
Your purchases well help donate to our wonderful Juneau programs.
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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, Juneau Economic Development Council could be the lender you've been looking for. | | | | |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Garrett Schoenberger, Chair
Chancellor Aparna Palmer, Vice-Chair
Aaron Morrison, Treasurer
Melissa Kookesh, Secretary
Trenton English
Marc Guevarra
Alexander Kotlarov
Brian Kleinhenz
Jill Weitz
Todd Schur
Mayor Beth Weldon
Greg Smith, 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 Development
- 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 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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