The Southeast Conference

Southeast Conference is a designated economic development district (EDD) through the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) and an Alaska regional development organization (ARDOR) through the state of Alaska. We are a membership organization, our members include municipalities, federally recognized tribes, businesses, native corporations, government agencies, organizations, and individuals located or doing business in southeast Alaska that support the mission of Southeast Conference. We coordinate with our members throughout the region to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for southeast Alaska. A strategic plan was designed to identify regional priorities for economic and community development. The process is strategy-driven and developed by a diverse workgroup of local representatives from private, public, and nonprofit sectors. By continued involvement with our members through committee and general membership meetings we assist the various groups and communities to use the regional plan as a guidebook and incorporate it into their individual strategic planning process. We also assist in the implementation of the plans by collaborating between different groups, cities and governments.

Southeast Conference has spent more than 50 years advocating for the ferry system and is working on a multi-phase approach that will identify structural changes to improve the operability and financial health of the state ferry system in its public service mission. Progress in May 2016, the Governor signed a MOU with Southeast Conference in support of these goals and tasked the conference with leading this statewide effort. Phase I mission goals and governance recommendations was complete in December 2016. Phase 2 was completed in November 2017 with the release of the strategic operating business plan. Public outreach and implementation phases continued in 2018. It identified alternative governance structures that could help the AMHS achieve financial sustainability. The report included a high-level examination of six basic ferry governance models to assess their suitability for Alaska's unique geography, markets and transportation needs. Detailed case studies were examined with three ferry systems identified with ideas and lessons applicable to AMHS. Phase II: Twenty-five-year ferry system operating plan was developed January 2017 through December 2017. Phase II included a fleet renewal plan and explored potential partnerships with the private sector and revenue opportunities to allow forward funding of operations and greater fiscal certainty.