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New Southeast Alaska Business Alliance and UAS mariculture facility pitched to assembly
Summary
Speakers introduced a newly forming Southeast Alaska Business Alliance focused on workforce development and business support; University of Alaska Southeast outlined a floating mariculture facility project funded by state grants and campus funds for education, research and workforce training (not direct seafood production).
During public comment April 14, Gary White and Sherry Blankenship introduced the Southeast Alaska Business Alliance, a regional business group organized as a 501(c)(6) focused on workforce development, employer support services and long-term economic growth for Sitka and Southeast Alaska.
Blankenship described a workforce platform to help individuals identify skills and pathways, connect to industry certifications and align candidates with employers. Assembly members thanked proponents and noted alignment with previous workforce discussions.
Separately, representatives from the University of Alaska Southeast described an incoming floating mariculture facility moved from Ketchikan by nonprofit Oceans Alaska. Angie Bowers and Kristen Reynolds said the facility — funded by state economic development grants, the Alaska Mericulture Cluster Grant and campus funds — will be a seasonal hatchery and kelp nursery supporting education, hands-on training and applied research. They clarified the site will not directly produce consumption-ready shellfish but will support regional farms and student training.
Speakers said the project aims to strengthen the local mariculture workforce, provide educational opportunities and support sustainable aquaculture-related tourism and research collaborations.
