Develop new housing stock, improve existing housing quality, build targeted housing for an aging population, and increase the diversity of housing choices in the region. Include fair market housing options for homeownership and private market rentals, along with subsidized rentals through rental assistance or vouchers, public housing, and housing for seniors, veterans, the homeless, and other special needs populations. Increase access to housing, including to low- and moderate-income housing, to create more livable, economically competitive, resilient communities. Work across the region to find ways to reduce the costs associated with land development and new housing construction. Southeast homes are the oldest in Alaska. Work to improve housing conditions in homes that are aging and have mold and rot issues. Create walkable housing opportunities so people can easily access stores, school and healthcare without having to own a vehicle. Support energy efficiency programs to reduce the cost of home heating and modernize Southeast Alaska’s housing stock.

Quality education and workforce training is critical to the development of a strong economy. Southeast Alaska has an insufficient pool of skilled employees with professional and technical degrees to support the business sector. Workforce development and support of career and technical education are included throughout this plan in the maritime, health care, carpentry, masonry, electrical, HVAC, mining, seafood, and timber sections. In addition to these efforts, support continued development of K-12 and postsecondary education opportunities and pathways in the region. Partner with high schools in Southeast for new or expanded double credit opportunities. Retain students in state after graduation. Develop short courses to update skills in partnership with UAS and other post-secondary education institutions. Increase arts, cultural studies, and local language courses. Ensure UAS has certifications to meet local workforce needs. Create mentorships. Develop and retain top talent. Support scholarships and grants from municipalities for UAS.

After devastating landslides in recent years, disaster preparation efforts should be a cornerstone of planning procedures going forward. Develop appropriate planning procedures to mitigate natural disasters in the region. Increase resources for data collection and improve available basic local data for use in disaster preparation and response. Compile information and data of events and area terrain for better understanding and mapping. Partner with agencies to collect appropriate data to improve alert systems and other disaster response. Collect disaster impact information to improve understanding of direct and indirect effects of natural disasters on a community. Advocate for disaster relief resources and funding for areas affected by natural disasters. Support the development of a disaster relief task force in the wake of events. Protect the economic vitality of areas affected by natural disasters. Ensure the safety of the residents in Southeast communities through robust disaster alert systems. Prepare disaster mitigation systems. Increase collaboration and communication amongst organizations working to respond and prepare. Support implementing FEMA training throughout the state on an annual basis, prior to disasters.

Support expansion of high-speed internet and cellular network coverage to make the region more competitive and provide more access to education. Broadband access fosters business development and expansion, telecommuting and micro-businesses, and increased education opportunities across Southeast Alaska. Remote work accessibility has become increasingly utilized in the growing world economy. Prioritize development of fiber, satellite, and other technologies that provide remote internet access in the region with a focus on businesses that have a duty to serve and requirement to provide services to Alaskan communities. Communications and reliable multi-point-of-failure pathways are attractive to investors, businesses, and families looking to stay connected. Equitable access to educational opportunities offer local, improved education outcomes and workforce development. Look at a regional solution that maximizes the use of IIJA funding to benefit all communities and expand broadband infrastructure in Southeast Alaska to achieve 2.5GHz.

Expanding childcare capacity in Southeast Alaska is essential for fostering a vibrant economy and attracting younger workers and families to the region. Addressing the current shortages in supply, affordability, and quality of childcare services requires a multifaceted approach prioritizing workforce development, sustainable funding, and operational support.

A critical component of enhancing childcare quality is developing a skilled workforce. Southeast communities should invest in and support their current and future childcare providers to enroll in the SEAAEYC apprenticeship program. Providing foundational early childhood education knowledge and on-the-job training can ensure high standards of care across the region. Investing in such initiatives is vital to building a pipeline of professionals capable of meeting the growing demand for childcare services.

The region should establish a pooled funding model to overcome the financial barriers associated with childcare businesses’ high operational costs and low profit margins. This approach combines investments from state, local, and corporate partners to create a sustainable funding pool to support community-specific childcare initiatives. By aggregating resources, the pooled fund can provide both start-up and operational grants, incentivizing the establishment of new childcare businesses and sustaining existing ones. Such a funding structure ensures that childcare providers remain viable while offering affordable, high-quality care to families. Pooled funding models have been recognized in several states for enabling funding to be more strategic, equitable, and collaborative, as they bring together funders and civil society in equal measure to design and make decisions at every stage of the funding
process.

Southeast Alaska has slowly but consistently been losing its workforce-age population. Support economic, cultural and quality of life projects that make Southeast a desirable place to live, work and plan. Help connect Alaskan college graduates with local, living wage jobs. Support housing initiatives to ensure communities have starter or attainable-priced homes for workforce age individuals.

Develop best practices solutions handling MSW, including baling and compacting solid waste for shipping. Increase utilization of regional recycling and composting programs and increase use of commercial burn units. Encourage businesses and entrepreneurs to find ways to reuse solid waste materials to keep them out of landfills or from being shipped out for final disposal. Raise awareness of upcycling opportunities with community art projects and outreach to the schools with creative competitions. Communicate the importance of waste sorting to citizens in communities that ship their waste. Procure equipment to manage increasing amounts of tires. Create partnerships to share equipment, such as balers and shredders, across communities in the region. Encourage collaboration and partnerships between communities and organizations to develop collective, regional programs and solutions.

Promote regionally-manufactured, local products (art, seafood, beer, wood, ships, handicrafts, etc.). Develop marketing materials to market Southeast Alaska as a whole. Grow the presence, public awareness and use of programs intended to identify locally-crafted goods to shoppers and visitors. Partner with education institutes to establish professional development classes that can teach entrepreneurs how to connect to consumers and sustainable business development. Teach creators how to grow and support their business operations to reach markets, especially online. Develop opportunities within communities to share knowledge, and collectively achieve economies of scale to expand selling avenues. Explore new market opportunities and form partnerships that are targeted for locally available markets and visitors. Look for ways to reduce costs to small businesses such as through cooperative purchasing and subsidy programs.