Our History

The Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) was created in 1987 as a private, nonprofit corporation to foster a healthy and sustainable economic climate in Juneau and throughout Southeast Alaska. Envisioned by leaders within the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and the local Chamber of Commerce, the JEDC receives core funding from the CBJ since its inception while leveraging this investment to develop additional funds through strategic alliances with forward looking businesses, community groups, and government agencies. The Council has developed comprehensive, sustainable programs and projects, stimulating the region’s economy by identifying opportunities and developing innovative solutions to the unique economic circumstance in the region.

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.

As part of the federal CARES Act of 2020, JEDC administered over $101 million in small business aid through the Alaska to 1900+ Alaska businesses. Alongside this statewide program, JEDC administered CBJ emergency business programs, which provided $19 million in additional assistance to 500 local businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19. Notably, the large AK CARES grant program ($100+ million), contracted through the State of Alaska, required significant, time-sensitive restructuring to execute effectively. JEDC created systems and policies to track progress, hired 50+ remote staff, and distributed grants to qualified businesses around Alaska. The grant process involved lots of communication with applicants, which earned the organization valuable recent experience in counseling business clients with grant-related matters. 

To support small businesses and entrepreneurship, JEDC launched The Local Frequency app in April 2021. The mobile app promotes local spending and supports local businesses by encouraging customers to shop local. It serves as a payment and loyalty program available only to local companies. Customers can browse local businesses, access virtual punch cards, and earn cash-back rewards by paying with the in-app currency called Local Dollars (equivalent to $1 USD). These dollars are backed by a JEDC account at True North FCU, and funds are paid out to businesses monthly. The app also allows firms to partner with other businesses to create unique offers, notify regular customers about deals, and accommodate online orders. In addition, JEDC produces information about the value of local spending, gives presentations to partner organizations and businesses, and markets the app.

JEDC promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education throughout Alaska, delivering the FIRST Robotics program (K-12) to more than half of Alaska’s school districts and managing 20+ tournaments each year throughout our vast state.  As the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) Operational Partner for Alaska, we manage and coordinate the FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, the FIRST LEGO League Jr. and FIRST Robotics Competition programs for Alaska. JEDC has extensive experience in collaborating across distances with diverse organizations to deliver consistent, high-quality programming. This programming is funded primarily through corporate partnerships.