Tourists walk on the cruise ship dock towards Haines’ Fort Seward. (Emily Files)
Last week the Haines Economic Development Corporation released its 5-year Economic Development Plan. The document outlines how HEDC aims to facilitate economic development over the next five years.
In September 2017, the Haines Borough Assembly agreed to give the HEDC $95,000. Since then, the new non-profit has set out to accomplish a few goals.
The first goal was to compile a baseline report on the Haines economy. That was completed in July using information gathered by the McDowell Group, and a community survey. The survey polled residents by phone and allowed anyone to participate online.
From that information, HEDC has identified a set of long and short-term goals, opportunities and actions that could strengthen the economy.
HEDC Executive Director Margaret Friedenauer said it is important to have a community document that outlines economic goals that the community has agreed are important.
“It’s not just for HEDC, but it’s for other organizations who might need to point to this document and say, ‘In doing our work, we’re doing this to accomplish an economic development goal or strategy that is outlined in this document.’ That can lend a lot of credence to other organizations and the borough government’s role in economic development,” Friedenauer said.
The plan has been approved by the board, however, the organization is still seeking feedback on the 5-year plan.
“We’re using the document right now. There are initiatives in there that are already underway because we’re doing work now. As far as the official document being finalized, that will happen in the weeks following the public presentation,” Friedenauer said.
HEDC will host a public meeting on October 15th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chilkat Center to discuss the plan.
