Alaska Rural and Tribal Communities: Economic Development Coalition

Course Details

How can our communities access federal funding to develop local economies, and what are innovative solutions to long-term economic development? This case study about economic development in Alaska offers answers.

The Alaska Mariculture Cluster won a $49 million federal grant to develop a $100 million mariculture industry in the next 10 years. It will produce shellfish and seaweed for decades, setting up the region for economic success. The Alaska Mariculture Cluster comprises many partners, including the Southeast Conference, the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, and the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. Sealaska, an Alaska Native Corporation, is also an active partner in Alaska Mariculture Cluster projects.

Coalition projects focus on the economic development of small, rural, and tribal communities through a lens of equity. This case study highlights the power of partnerships to create change and develop a vision for economic growth.

Learning Outcomes

  • Build partnerships for economic development.
  • Understand the impact of planning projects on American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
  • Develop plans for meeting federal grant and program requirements.