|
Southeast Conference Receives Federal Economic Development District Designation On September 18th, 2002, Southeast Conference was designated as a federal Economic Development District (EDD) by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This designation follows three years of hard work by Southeast Conference and Central Council Tlingit and Haida Tribes, among others. The goal of developing a regional economic development district is to strengthen the economies of the communities and boroughs in Southeast Alaska. Bob Loescher, a business consultant who currently works with the communities of Hoonah, Angoon, and Kake, explained the importance of this designation. "Southeast Alaska has been greatly impacted by a succession of economic impacts such as federal actions on the Tongass forest, shutting down fishing in Glacier Bay, and foreign competition in the salmon industry. The coastal communities have experienced loss of jobs, migration of people away, failure of small businesses, and loss of tax revenues. The EDD designation by the federal government will help to revitalize these communities by focusing federal funding and program to create alternative economies, job training, and attract investment to those communities. Hopefully this designation will be embraced by community leaders and spur Southeast into a brighter future." Berney Richert, head of the Alaska EDA office expressed his congratulations. "This designation is recognition that Southeast Conference is a superior economic planning and development organization. Many of Southeast Conference's member communities will now be eligible for a 'District Bonus' when applying for investment assistance from the EDA." With EDD designation, the Southeast communities will not be required to prepare an individual Overall Economic Development Program (OEDP), and communities qualifying for grants on Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) projects will receive a 10% lower match requirement from EDA. To attain federal designation as an EDD, Southeast Conference was required to develop a regional CEDS document. The purpose of the CEDS process is to help create jobs, foster more stable and diversified economies, and improve living conditions. It provides a mechanism for coordinating the efforts of individuals, organizations, local governments, and private industry concerned with economic development. In 2000, Southeast Conference and Central Council established a CEDS committee with representatives of various communities, Tribes, Native Corporations, non-profit organizations, professions, and industries to provide additional background information and to assist with the development of the goals, objectives and strategies. The document was completed in June 2001. The result was a publication that gives a comprehensive overview of Southeast Alaska economic history, current developments, and future opportunities. Also included is a list of projects each Southeast Alaska community hopes to accomplish to improve the economic health of that community. The Southeast Alaska CEDS has been held up nationally by EDA as an excellent example of a CEDS document. The
Southeast Alaska Economic Development District (EDD) is one of approximately
326 Districts authorized by the EDA in the United States. A Federal
Register Announcement is anticipated from EDA within a few weeks.
Southeast Conference is also a state designated Alaska Regional
Economic Development Organization (ARDOR). Go
to CEDS Page |
Southeast Conference