(SitNews) Wrangell, Alaska - Southeast Conference’s annual regional economic publication - Southeast Alaska by the Numbers 2014 - was released on September 16th at Southeast Conference’s Wrangell conference. The publication was developed by Rain Coast Data.

This year the report provides a one-year snapshot of regional economic and socioeconomic trends. It shows that while the economy of Southeast Alaska has been in an expansion phase since 2008, in 2013 that growth leveled off. The 12-page overview provides analysis on demographics, employment, and earnings; the maritime, visitor, seafood, mining, timber, and health care industries; along with public sector developments.

In 2013 - despite the fact that the region only grew by 19 people - Southeast Alaska reached a new record population of 74,382. The labor force also increase by only 19 jobs - to 46,015 jobs. Unlike last year, in which nearly every sector showed workforce gains, analysis of 2013 shows an equal mix of gains and losses.

• Mining jobs, which had been growing for a decade fell by 7.2% (59 jobs) in response to falling metal prices.
• All forms of government (state, federal, local, and tribal) reduced staffing levels. Coast Guard, with a gain of 60 jobs, was the one bright spot and helped offset a loss of 110 federal jobs in other agencies.
• In a reversal of long-term trends, health care employment was also down slightly.
• On the other hand, visitor industry employment was up significantly with 332 new jobs (an increase of 5%) as passenger arrivals from airplanes and cruise ships increased by 79,000 people over one year ago.
• Maritime employment—which cuts across all sectors—also increased its workforce by 5%—a gain of 308 jobs, including 148 jobs in the seafood industry.

In fact, the record-breaking seafood catch of 2013 was the most exciting development in our region in 2013. Southeast Alaska led the state in salmon catch and value for every salmon specie except for sockeye. Regional fishermen harvested 112 million salmon - their largest catch ever, including 95 million pink salmon. The total seafood harvest was nearly a half million pounds, and represented a 79% increase from the year before in volume, and a 12% increase in term of value.

Other economic indicators were positive. For the fourth year in a row, the annual unemployment rate decreased. Housing starts nearly doubled, and total payroll was up by two percent. However, as the lower-48 economy is also improving our ability to attract and retain millennials seems to be waning. Our under-30 population—the group most responsible for our recent population gains - fell by 360 people last year.

Shelly Wright, Executive Director of Southeast Conference, hopes government agencies and private businesses will use this news to find new ways to invigorate the regional economy. “In the past five year, great strides were made and we were encouraged and excited. Now we have reached a plateau. While some may think this means that we just have to try harder, now is really the time to do thing differently, and come up with new regional economic development approaches. At Southeast Conference we will be looking to establish new partnership as well as focusing on our recently formed Southeast Alaska Marine Industry Council, which is working to strengthen our maritime industry and grow small businesses in our communities.”

Edited by Mary Kauffman

On the Web:

Southeast Alaska By the Numbers 2014

http://www.seconference.org/sites/default/files/Southeast%20Alaska%
20by%20the%20numbers%202014%20FINAL.pdf

Source of News: 

Southeast Conference
http://www.seconference.org

The mission of Southeast Conference is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, healthy communities and a quality environment in Southeast Alaska. Southeast Conference began more than 50 years ago with a group of people supporting the establishment of a regional transportation system in Southeast Alaska. After that success Southeast Conference stayed together through more than a half-century to focus on transportation issues as well as many other concerns unique to the region. Its membership now includes nearly every community in Southeast Alaska.

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