JEDC Juneau Economical Development Council

Brian Holst joins Capital Chat to discuss the impact of the Cruise Industry on Juneau and the upcoming Innovation Summit. JEDC is governed by an 11-person Board of Directors—including permanent seats held by the Juneau Mayor and the Chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast, plus nine other diverse thought leaders and industry experts appointed by the CBJ Assembly. Brian Holst has served as the JEDC Executive Director since 2008 and drives strategic development, management of the institution’s human and financial resources, and implementation of the Board’s long-term vision.

JEDC has a long history of supporting economic development in Juneau and the Southeast region of Alaska. Since October 2010, the JEDC has led an industry, cluster-based planning approach to the Southeast Alaska region. JEDC’s Southeast Alaska Cluster Initiative continues to successfully unite private sector industry clusters with federal, state, and local agencies, university faculty, trade association representatives, economic development organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to address industry needs, concerns, and opportunities on a collaborative basis.

JEDC hosts the Innovation Summit, a national award-winning annual innovation-centered conference gathering hundreds of Alaskan professionals across all disciplines, which hosts a diverse array of presenters, performances, and experiences designed to foster relationships and inspire new perspectives. Programming includes the Innovation Summit Pitch Contest, where selected entrepreneurs pitch their business innovations to a diverse group of peers, investors, and leaders for a chance to win a crowdfunded cash prize. All participants receive mentor support.

The Southeast Alaska Revolving Loan Fund was launched by JEDC in 1997. The fund provides loans to startup and expanding businesses with a focus on job creation. JEDC has made over 200 loans to a wide range of small businesses in the region, using seed capital from local government, earned income, and federal loan sources (like USDA Rural Development). JEDC provides technical assistance to businesses in areas such as financial planning, marketing, and operations.