Mission Statement
The Sitka Economic Development Association's mission is economic development. SEDA will:
- Foster a business climate that is receptive and conducive to existing and new business;
- Help promote the creation of family wage jobs, and
- Enhance the quality of life for Sitkans.
Sitka Economic Development Association (SEDA) was formed in 1997 and has worked closely with city leaders to make Sitka more attractive to businesses. A nonprofit association that supports and promotes responsible economic development, SEDA's Board and staff are comprised of a diverse group of management and business professionals.
SEDA Contributions to the Community of Sitka 2005-2007
Housing
- Provided staff support to Long Range Planning Commission during affordable housing study, Summer 2005.
- Presented two detailed affordable housing plans to LRPC and the Assembly Spring 2006:
- Sitka Affordable Housing Program (SAHP) Modular Home Park
- Jarvis St. Project
- Old City Shops Property Development Concepts
- Provided funding and staff support for Sitka Housing Forum.
- SEDA Board met with President Dobler of SJC on Feb 1, 2007 and discussed a joint housing project with the City.
- Created the Benchlands Development Flow Chart to assist the City with major decisions surrounding purchase of the property from UA.
- April 2, 2007, provided detailed input to CBS Housing Mgr and SJC President for a joint CBS – SJC housing project.
Visitor Industry Planning
- Provided $3,000 in funding for the 2005 Alaska Travelers Survey (Sitka air travelers interviews).
- Provided staff support and website hosting for the Sitka Tourism Planning process (www.sitkatourismplan.org).
- Funded a special economic consultant who provided detailed visitor trend information for Sitka Tourism Planning process - $1,000.
- April 5, 2007, provided $5,000 for a third party facilitator to reconcile the draft tourism plan.
Sawmill Cove Industrial Park
- Provided more than $10,000 for professional services such as land surveys and engineering reports including but not limited to the following:
- Sawmill Cove Pulp $500,000 Denali Commission grant
- Sawmill Cove Ocean Dock Layout by PND
- Sawmill Cove Land Use Drawing by O’Neill
- Sawmill Cove Pulp Dock and Warehouse Informational Plat by O’Neill
- Lobbied legislators for bulk water pipeline appropriation.
- Managed negotiations and contract development for NSRAA hatchery, TAB Purchase and Sale Agreement, multi-purpose dock, Baranof Frozen Foods and Stikine Holdings.
- Developed concepts for repair of the pulp dock and warehouse. Presented those concepts to the Denali Commission, USDA Rural Development and Governor Murkowski.
- Developed management strategy for new wastewater outfall pipe.
- Created first subdivision plat of former APC property.
- Drafted the TAB bulk water contract approved by the Assembly in Sept 2006.
- March 7, 2007, facilitated a planning session with the Sawmill Cove Board regarding a new Three Year Plan for the Industrial Park.
- April 2007, completed a detailed lease-area analysis of the Administration Building to assist the SMC Board with establishing lease rates.
Economic Development
- Produced and maintained websites promoting Sitka as an investment site and providing information and data about Sitka:
- Maintained two Sitka webcams generating an average of 60,000 daily hits from locals, former Sitkans, Sitkans away from home, visitors, prospective residents and visitors, nature enthusiasts. $3,000 per year.
- Published “Sitka Community Profile”, a sought-after informational brochure that provides a glimpse of Sitka’s demographics, economy, quality of life, and labor force. This is made available for free at the airport, the Centennial Hall, and the library.
- Published “Sitka Trends,” a brochure that shows in graphs and numbers how Sitka’s economy grew in the past six years in terms of employment, housing, gross business sales, personal income, and cost of living.
- Published “Sitka Marine Industries,” a directory of local businesses providing marine parts and repair services. This is made available for free at the Harbors Department where harbor users, commercial and sports fishermen, charter clients obtain information about local marine services.
- Conducted a quarterly price survey to determine Sitka’s cost of living index using the ACCRA model. It has been used as a tool among community planners and decision makers in wage-setting and business expansion decisions.
- As a member of SE Conference the SEDA Board provided detailed input into the five-year revision of the Community Economic Development Strategy. This document produced by SE Conference affects federal funding levels for capital projects in SE Alaska.
- Funded and hosted the seventh annual State of Sitka’s Economy forum. This annual presentation is sponsored by SEDA to help the local business community plan and execute a long-range strategy for their businesses and to make economic information available to grant-seeking organizations in Sitka.
- Promoted Sitka in regional and national trade journals and visitor guides.
- Created the concept outline for the Fish Processor Economic Development Grant Program.
- Attended the “Change Brings Opportunity Conference” in Prince Rupert November 8 & 9, 2006. The Conference hosts international freight and shipping experts who will celebrate the grand opening of Prince Rupert’s new $175 million container port. Presented findings of this new business opportunity to the Chamber of Commerce.
- February 2007 contributed $500 to Sitka Artisan’s Market
- March 5, 2007 co-sponsored a community presentation by ISER on the value of Nature Based Tourism in SE Alaska.
- March 7, 2007 sponsored a community forum on Sitka’s Economy that included a facilitated visioning session.
- April 5, 2007 hosted a meeting with CBS staff, State DOT/PF and Alaska Airlines regarding the Sitka Airport. Made recommendations to the Assembly for an interim solution to the City airport terminal improvements.
- May 3, 2007 hosted a meeting with SEARHC, Sitka Community Hospital and CBS Housing Manager regarding senior citizen housing needs in Sitka.
