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Archive for October, 2012

POWCAC Meeting

Friday, October 5th, 2012

This week my staff attended the Prince of Wales Community Advisory Council (POWCAC) meeting in Coffman Cove. POWCAC is an association of communities and tribes on Prince of Wales Island dedicated to improving the area’s quality of life.  The group advises state and federal agencies on issues affecting Prince of Wales communities.  The meeting was productive and included updates on various topics.

Jobs and economic growth are the main issues facing Prince of Wales Island.  Since the decline of the timber in industry in the 1990s, the area has seen a 20% decline in population.  The communities are working together to expand their resource base and develop new industries such as mining.  POWCAC passed a resolution supporting federal legislation to establish a road corridor to the Niblack mineral deposit on the east side of Prince of Wales Island. The road would improve access and expedite development of the deposit, as well as provide hundreds of jobs for Alaskans.

To train Alaskans for Alaskan jobs, the communities have expanded vocational education on the island.  The Prince of Wales Vocational & Technical Education Center project is moving forward. The legislature has appropriated $4.1 million for the center and stakeholders are identifying future employment and training needs for the island. This will help them design a curriculum that will put Alaskans to work and help keep families in Southeast.

In addition to these projects, POWCAC has also begun evaluating forming a borough to bring the Island’s communities together and better secure their resource base.  The council also discussed the recent Southeast Conference meeting in Craig, and received updates from Sealaska and the Inter Island Ferry Authority.

I look forward to continue working with POWCAC and local leaders on these important issues in the future.

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Ferry Schedule Released Early

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) has released its 2013 Summer Schedule.  The early release of the schedule is great news for coastal Alaska and is the result of public comment and smart business practices by AMHS.

I’ve worked with communities and the administration during the past several years to enhance the service and operations of Alaska’s ferry system.  We’ve restructured the Marine Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB) and increased opportunities for public comment to make AMHS aware of community events.  We’ve also funded construction of new vessels and realigned the ferry system’s budget to be more efficient and responsive.

Even within this short time period we’re already seeing results.  The Alaska Marine Highway System is coming off a year of record high revenue. In 2011 AMHS revenues totaled $52.2 million, an increase of over 7 percent from the previous year. With no increase in fares, that revenue increase was generated by increased ridership including an all-time record high of 114,100 vehicles transported.  This is great news for the long-term viability of AMHS and all the residents of coastal Alaska who depend on it.

I applaud the early release of the 2013 Summer Schedule and look forward to working with AMHS and the administration to improve marine transportation in Alaska.

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Southeast Conference in Craig

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Last week my staff and I attended the annual meeting of Southeast Conference in Craig.  Southeast Conference is a regional, nonprofit corporation that advances issues of importance to our region.  Their meetings are a great forum for communities, policymakers, and businesses to discuss how to move Southeast Alaska forward.

Prince of Wales Island was a great location for this year’s conference.  The fourth largest island in America, Prince of Wales is a beautiful corner of our state with a rich history.  The conference took place in Craig, but we were welcomed by Alaskans from all communities on the island.  Of special note was the community reception which featured culinary delights from all across the island.

At the conference we received updates on energy and economic development projects moving in the region. These included presentations on new hydroelectric projects as well as the Niblack and Bokan Mountain mineral deposits.  These projects will help to create a more sustainable economy in Southeast Alaska and will provide hundreds of needed jobs for our residents.

I’d like to thank the Southeast Conference staff, the board of directors, and the communities of Prince of Wales Island for organizing a great conference.

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