SEDA Contributions to the Community of Sitka

SEDA Produces and maintaines three web sites promoting Sitka as a location for business investment and providing information about Sitka:
    www.sitka.net
    www.sawmillcove.com
    www.sitkamarine.com

SEDA also maintains a web cam that is accessed by current and former residents, prospective residents and visitors, nature enthusiasts and the simply curious.

SEDA publishes the bi-annual"Sitka Community Profile," a brochure, providing information on Sitka's demographics, economy, quality of life, and labor force. This is made available for free at the airport, Harrigan Centennial Hall, and City Hall.

SEDA publishes "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, and charter clients obtain information about local marine services.

Recent SEDA Projects Include:

This is a partial list of SEDA’s recent and on-going activities.

2012 Activity Highlights

Sitka Economic Forum (April) – organized and facilitated.
Participation

Southeast Alaska Maritime Technology and “Blue Jobs” Accelerator Initiative (SEAMarT) project.
Marine Industry Cluster – Southeast Conference
Sitka Collaborative Stewardship Group
Southeast Conference mid-session and annual meetings

Presentation on Sitka Marine Industries at annual meeting in Craig

Housing Issues

Participated in Housing that is Affordable Ad Hoc Committee
Participated in Benchlands Development sub-committee
Participated in presentation to the Assembly on options for development of the Benchlands and requested that action be taken.
Researched best practices for development of housing that is affordable
Drafted suggested zoning changes to allow for more flexibility in construction of accessory dwelling units
Requested the Assembly release a new RFP for development of the Old City Shops property.

Letters of support for grant applications

Sitka Tribal Enterprises
Sitka Sound Science Center
CBS application for Alaska Energy Authority Grant for Blue Lake dam expansion

Grant Opportunities tracked and forwarded to organizations that may qualify to apply.
Research and data supplied as requested

Sitka Branding Committee – tourism data for brochure
Sitka Tribal Enterprises – data on economic conditions for use in RBOG application
Sitka Community Development Corporation – housing data for presentation
Southeast Conference presentation on marine industry development
CBS economic summary for use in application packet for bonding from the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska – supporting data sources for grant applications
Fish to Schools program – data on the economic impact of seafood harvesting and processing in Sitka
General public requests for data on commercial fishing, housing, etc…

2012/2013 Sitka Community Profile published and distributed.
Quarterly “Sitka Trends” economic newsletter distributed to 335 people via e-mail.
Alaska Business Monthly interview – SEDA and Mayor Westover.
Provide information to visitors and residents on a walk-in basis.
Provide information to residents and non-residents via phone inquiries.
Alaska Marine Highway

Participated in public comment teleconference regarding the 2013 summer schedule
Contacted event organizers to include their events on the calendar for ferry service

Grant Applications

USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant - to fund a part-time contractor to provide business counseling services
National Forest Foundation Grant – to fund development of a web based Tongass National Forest asset map. Two application attempts were declined.

Participated in a tour of Kruzof Island assets with the USDA Forest Service and Sitka Conservation Society representatives.
Researched the feasibility of attracting a data center to Sitka. Even with Takatz Lake hydro-power, Sitka would not have enough electricity or the state of the art high capacity telecommunications infrastructure.
Interviewed for Business Profile in the February 2012 edition of Alaska Business Monthly promoting Sitka and the SCIP.
The SEDA Executive Director is a member of the UAS Sitka Campus Advisory Council.
The SEDA Executive Director acts in an advisory capacity to Sitka Tribal Enterprises.
Maintained three websites: www.sitka.net (SEDA), www.sawmillcove.com (SCIP) and www.sitkamarine.com (Sitka Marine Industries Directory)
Maintained one of the two City webcams.
Completed the NOAA Questionnaire for Sitka’s Fisheries Profile.
Completed an updated community profile for Sitka’s listing on the Southeast Conference website.

Management of Sawmill Cove Industrial Park

SCIP Port Planning – worked with Alaska DOT and Public Works staff to develop an RFP for a feasibility study for development of a marine industry service center.
Provided information to numerous people inquiring about bulk water.
Negotiated an amendment for the extension of the TAB bulk water contract.
Participated in discussions with a number of parties interested in either purchasing the existing water bottling plant or establishing a new plant.
Negotiated and drafted leases for SCIP property.
Negotiated with ACS for increased fiber optic capacity to support the Blue Lake project and future development at the SCIP.
Drafted an RFP for sale of the Carpenters’ Shop and a portion of Lot 16.
Worked with Public Works staff and the Electric Department to ensure the City has the needed space at the Park for the Blue Lake project.
Cleared the first floor of the Administration Building to bring it to a leasable condition.
Met with NSRAA and CBS Electric and Public Works Departments to negotiate a new water delivery agreement for the hatchery.
Established wharfage rates for movement of materials and freight over the SCIP waterfront.
Prepared the FY2014 SCIP Legislative Priority request.
Drafted FY2013 budget for the SCIP.
Worked with Alaska DOT and CBS Public Works on planning for the Sawmill Creek Road Phase III upgrade project.
Held 14 public meetings of the Sawmill Cove Board of Directors.
Provided tours of the SCIP and other areas of Sitka to visiting Congressional Delegation members and their representatives; State legislators and their representatives; Blue Lake project contractors and other potential lessees for property at the SCIP.

On-going activities

NOTE: “CP” notations refer to sections of the 2007 CBS Comprehensive Plan

SEDA:

Is assisting the City Electrical Department with issues related to hydro-electric power generation. Efforts include: increasing public awareness about Sitka’s hydro-electric capacity and the costs of diesel power generation, conducting a residential electricity use survey to better assess the trend in electricity demand, looking at opportunities to train local contractors for weatherization and energy efficiency projects, and advocating for funding and legislative support for the Blue Lake dam expansion project. (CP 2.1.16)

Is advocating for the development of the Benchlands and affordable housing projects throughout Sitka. (CP 2.1.2; 2.1.23; 2.2.15; 2.2.16; 2.4.8; 2.5.1; 2.5.11; 2.10.3.B)

Assists various non-profit organizations (Sound Science Center, Sitka Conservation Society, and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Sitka Works, etc…) by providing letters of support for grant applications. (CP 2.1.6; 2.12.1; 2.12.2)

Regularly monitors grant opportunities and forwards information on these to the appropriate local organization that may qualify for funding. (CP 2.12.1; 2.12.2)

Tracks state and federal legislation that may affect Sitka, providing public testimony or written comment as needed. Recent legislative issues include: EPA low sulfur marine disel regulations, FDA approval of genetically modified salmon, and the “Roadless Rule” as it pertains to Southeast Alaska hydro-electric projects. (CP 2.2.12)

Assists City staff by providing research data, drafting documents, and providing letters of support for special projects such as the application for Sitka to become a U.S. Coast Guard City and the annual CBS Legislative Priorities List.

Continues to market and manage development of the Sawmill Cove Industrial Park. (CP 2.1.2; 2.1.10; 2.1.13; 2.2; 2.6.5)

Is participating in development of a strategic energy plan for Sitka and continues to advocate for the expansion of Blue Lake dam and development of a hydro-electric facility at Takatz Lake. (2.1.16; 2.2.1; 2.2.2; 2.2.14; 2.2.18; 2.2.20)

Continues to negotiate with companies for development of bulk water contracts with the City and Borough of Sitka. (CP 2.2.1; 2.2.9; 2.6.5.A; 2.6.5.D)

Continues to advocate for sufficient and reliable ferry service for Sitka. (CP 2.2.14; 2.3.18)

Continues to conduct research and make contacts with target companies that may consider establishing a presence in Sitka. (CP 2.1.2; 2.1.10; 2.1.13; 2.2)

Is participating in discussion and planning regarding the airport terminal remodel and expansion. (CP 2.1.15; 2.2.1; 2.2.20; 2.3.16; 2.6.3)

Is working with the City and Borough of Sitka and telecommunications providers to upgrade communications infrastructure in Sitka, and specifically for Sawmill Cove Industrial Park. (CP 2.2.7)

Actively pursues opportunities for public outreach and education related to economic development in Sitka. Organized and facilited the Sitka Economic Forum in April 2012. (CP 2.3.2; 2.9.C)

Continues to provide information and statistical data to residents, businesses and organizations upon request.

Conducted research on the need for senior housing and/or assisted living facilities. (CP 2.1.23; 2.5.2.D; 2.10.3.C.4)

Publishes the "Sitka Community Profile," a brochure, providing information on Sitka's demographics, economy, quality of life, and labor force. (CP 2.1.2; 2.3.2; 2.9.C)

Publishes "Sitka Marine Industries," a directory of local businesses providing marine parts and repair services. Also available on-line at: www.sitkamarine.com. (2.2.1; 2.2.2)

Continues to provide information on Sitka’s economy to the public via presentations and a quarterly newsletter “Sitka Trends.” (CP 2.3.2; 2.9.C)

Produces and maintains three web sites promoting Sitka as a location for business investment and providing information about Sitka:

www.sitka.net www.sawmillcove.com www.sitkamarine.com

NOTE: "CP" notations indicate the portion of the City's 2007 Comprehensive Plan related to the project.