Election Day Is Tuesday, November 3

Be sure to make a plan to vote in the November 3 General Election.

Find details and more information at the Division of Elections:

Learn about the candidates at KTOO's 2026 Alaska General Election Guide:

The Federal Reserve’s annual survey of small businesses is open. Available in English and Spanish, the Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) captures insights on small business owners’ experiences and challenges, including financial conditions, need for credit, and other relevant information.

If responses are high enough locally, Juneau will get their own report that can be compared to other places in the U.S. (which JEDC thinks will be valuable to understanding better how we are doing locally).

Builders & Developers Needed to Deliver New Housing

Juneau will need to rapidly develop approximately 50 new housing units to support U.S. Coast Guard personnel and families tied to the future homeporting of the USCGC Storis. The USCG desires normal, market-standard Juneau homes, ranging from one to four bedrooms, rather than government, base-style housing. USCG will use Leasing Authority to acquire the homes. JEDC expects the RFP in the coming months.  

If any builders and developers are interested in delivering housing to the USCG and want to learn a little more, to please reach out to JEDC. 

Affordable Home Ownership with the Community Land Trust Model

JEDC employees recently attended the Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition conference in Sitka to learn more about the model and how it might be be applicable to Juneau, with support from the Alaska Community Foundation. There were a few dozen different organizations from all around the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Wyoming, California, and Hawaii. Many organizations shared various approaches to the CLT model, and shared ideas around resale formulas, fundraising, community organizing, limited equity co-ops, and storytelling. 

JEDC sees the Community Land Trust model as an important strategy to help more families in Juneau enter into affordable home ownership.  

"Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations governed by a board of CLT residents, community residents and public representatives that provide lasting community assets and shared equity homeownership opportunities for families and communities."

Buy a Raffle Ticket and Get Ready for Tournament Season with FIRST Alaska

The FIRST/JEDC Raffle tickets are now live! Teams can sell tickets ($10/ticket) and they will get 50% ($5/ticket) back to their team.  

2026-2027 Raffle Online Ticket Purchase - FIRST IN ALASKA

• Win Royal Caribbean Group 7-Night Caribbean Cruise Certificates for (up to) four people 
• Alaska Airlines donated two round-trip tickets ANYWHERE they fly (including Rome, London, etc.).  
• Alaska 529 is offering a $2,000 scholarship account to be granted to a child (14 or younger) of the winner's choice.  

A New FIRST Season Kicks Off Statewide

JEDC is the Program Delivery Partner for FIRST programming in Alaska. Each year, we organize 25+ robotics competitions for all age levels: FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore for grades K-4, FLL Challenge for grades 4-8, and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for grades 7-12.

Registration is now open, and we currently have teams from Ketchikan to Utqiagvik playing. A new AmeriCorps Member (STEM Coach) in Anchorage has joined our team to help start new FIRST teams and support existing ones.

The first event of this year's FIRST season for Alaska was a scrimmage held Saturday, October 10th at JDHS. FTC League meets will begin in Anchorage on October 30th, and the Juneau Robot Jamboree for Southeast FLL Explore and FLL Challenge teams will be held at Centennial Hall on December 12th. 

Volunteer Opportunity!

Juneau Robot Jamboree: FIRST^® LEGO^® League Southeast Qualifier 

When: December 12, 2026; 8:00am-5:00pm 

Where: Centennial Hall

Great volunteers have included community members, teachers, and FIRST alum. Working side by side with FIRST participants, volunteers play an important role in shaping young minds and inspiring students to achieve. Roles needed for this event include judges, set-up crew on Friday (Dec 11), practice table attendants, queuers, floaters, and more.

For additional information or questions about volunteering, contact McKenna at muhing@jedc.org. 

The Juneau Multiplier: Giving Locally

Generosity Strengthens Our Economy

Generosity strengthens our economy by helping make Juneau a great place to live! In Juneau, a request for support takes many forms: a nonprofit’s annual fundraising event, a student raising money for team travel, or a promotion seeking prizes and discounts from local businesses. Often, these requests reach the same businesses—and these same businesses find ways to say yes. A gift certificate, sponsorship, discount, or donated meal meets an immediate need. Collectively, these contributions across our community sustain the opportunities and connections that make Juneau a wonderful place to call home. This is yet another kind of Juneau multiplier.

Giving Is Community Investment

Economic development depends on a community where people want to live, work, and raise families. Local generosity helps build that community when donated dollars also circulate through Juneau’s economy. The resulting benefits extend to stronger relationships, greater participation, and a deeper sense of belonging. These gifts represent real resources: inventory, revenue, and employee time. This means that your support for local businesses translates into yet another facet of support that allows such generosity to be sustainable.

Time and Talent Count

Volunteers also multiply community resources by coaching, mentoring, serving on boards, organizing activities, and sharing professional skills. These contributions turn good ideas into programs and experiences people can enjoy. As the giving season approaches, we hope you will take a moment to thank a generous business—and shop there when you can. Every contribution of money, time or expertise is an investment in the people and possibilities that make Juneau home.

Economic Indicators Event Challenges Investors and Partners to Find Solutions for Retaining Young Families

JEDC published to the website and sent to print the annual Juneau and Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators and Outlook report.

On Monday, October 5, 2026, JEDC held an event celebrating the Indicators Report, and invited all investors, partners, and community leaders to come together and discuss the findings, while brainstorming ways to improve quality of life in Juneau, without government intervention.

The key question of the night was: How might Juneau’s businesses, employers, nonprofits, and community networks make Juneau a place where adults ages 28–40 and families with children are more likely to come and stay?

JEDC challenged attendees to produce private-sector solutions to identify shortcomings in Juneau. In the short time given, some of the ideas that emerged included expanding childcare through community and employer partnerships such as an au pair or co-op program. To address the housing crisis, participants collaborated to propose a 55+ community and a home ownership class. Attendees were tasked with finding the best of Juneau, and trying to capitalize on it. Solutions that gained traction included a publicity campaign to remind citizens of the outdoor adventure, and a family connection hub to build on the welcoming community Juneau offers.

Ideas encouraged people to think of existing models and partners that might come together to create programs that proposed solutions to the outmigration of 28-40-year-olds. 

JEDC's Trade Up Juneau team ran a booth at the JDHS Gym for the College & Career Fair to share information about sixteen paid positions coming up in summer 2027.

Trade Up Juneau places young adults ages 18-24 with local employers for full-time, paid on-the-job training. Fields include carpentry, construction, equipment operation, excavation, general labor, HVAC, landscaping, mechanical, and plumbing.

At the career fair, our team talked with 285 students! It was great to see so much interest in careers in the trades right here in Juneau.

Next, we’re reaching out to homeschool families and Yaakoosgé so even more young adults hear about this opportunity. 

Students can apply now for next summer, even if they haven’t turned 18 yet. Applications are due May 6. 

JEDC recently published its annual Economic Indicators and Outlook report. The report offers a snapshot of the regional economy and is a useful resource for businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations planning for the year ahead.

Check it out here: Juneau and Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators and Outlook 

Want to bring these findings to your team, board, or membership? JEDC is available to provide your organization with a short presentation on Juneau’s economy.

Juneau by the Numbers

$3.65 Million Award Launches Planning for the Future of Juneau’s St. Ann’s Campus

The Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) was notified of an award of $3.65 million Rural Health Transformation Program funding through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and administered by the State of Alaska to support the initial planning and development of the proposed St. Ann's Center for Integrated Care.

The funding will support feasibility studies, community engagement, organizational development, facility assessments, and other planning activities related to the future revitalization of the St. Ann's/Crimont campus. The project remains in the early planning stages, with the goal of addressing aging needs in Juneau. 

For more than a century, the St. Ann's campus has been an important part of Juneau's history. Established by the Sisters of St. Ann, the site served generations of Southeast Alaskans through healthcare, education, and community service. Current planning efforts seek to preserve that legacy while exploring opportunities to meet the evolving needs of aging adults and the broader community. 

The concept emerged through collaboration among members of the Southeast Regional Eldercare Coalition and community partners, including JAMHI Health & Wellness, REACH Inc., Polaris House, and Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Together, these organizations bring decades of service to Southeast Alaska and share a common commitment to dignity, independence, inclusion, and quality of life for community members. 

JEDC has a long history of convening partners and advancing projects that strengthen Southeast Alaska's economy and quality of life. For the St. Ann's initiative, JEDC is administering grant resources and supporting coordination amongst partner organizations. 

While significant planning work remains ahead, the award marks an important step toward preserving a community landmark and exploring innovative, community-driven approaches to supporting Southeast Alaska's aging population. 

JEDC Platinum Investors

JEDC Gold Investors

Help Shape Juneau’s Economic Future:

Three JEDC Board Seats Now Open

The Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) annually has openings on its Board of Directors. JEDC Board members are recommended to the CBJ Assembly by the current JEDC Board and then appointed by the CBJ Assembly. 

We are currently accepting applications for three (3) seats with terms beginning November 2026 and ending November 2029, including:

• One (1) member representing a nonprofit environmental organization. 
• Two (2) At-Large members with experience and expertise in fields relating to economic development, including but not limited to large and small business, entrepreneurship, natural resource development, tourism, banking and finance, engineering and construction, and government. 

Interested parties should send a letter of interest and a recent CV/résumé to JEDC Executive Director Brian Holst at bholst@jedc.org, or call for more information at (907) 523-2333. Applicants will also need to complete the application form from Boards & Committees Application – City and Borough of Juneau.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 11. 

Candidates should also plan on participating in interviews with current members of the JEDC Board at their monthly meeting on November 16.

*Note: When applying on the CBJ webpage, please select "Other" under the "Board, Commission, Committee" and then type "JEDC Board" in the following section. 

JEDC Silver Investors

JEDC Welcomes Shayde DuBey to the Team This Year

Shayde DuBey will be serving this year as the Anchorage STEM Coach as an AmeriCorps member, providing direct support to teams in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area. AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. Their mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. 

Shayde was born in Soldotna, grew up in the Mat-Su Valley, and now lives in Anchorage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in May and spent the summer serving at the Boys and Girls Club.

He enjoys learning languages (mainly French and Japanese), making music, and coding his own projects, and he is excited about the opportunity to bring both his STEM skills and life skills to this role. 

JEDC Bronze Investors

JEDC Investors

Want your business in front of Juneau’s local shoppers? Join The Local Frequency.

Locally owned, independent Juneau businesses can get a free listing in The Local Frequency’s directory, which helps shoppers find businesses committed to keeping dollars local. Businesses that want more visibility can upgrade their listing.

Full membership lets you accept Local Dollars and reach shoppers with offers, loyalty rewards, and push notifications.

JEDC Affiliate Investors

Visit our Website