Research Library: Reports & Studies by JEDC

JEDC Research and Reports

Juneau Economic Indicators, 2001-2012

The Juneau and Regional Economic Indicators are an annual publication of the Juneau Economic Development Council. Click below to visit reports from previous years.

• Juneau and Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators Report - September 2012 (PDF)
• Juneau and Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators Report - September 2011 (PDF)
• Juneau and Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators Report - September 2010 (PDF)
• Juneau and Southeast Alaska Economic Indicators Report - September 2009 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators September 2008 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators July 2007 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators July 2006 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators June 2005 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators June 2004 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators June 2003 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators October 2002 (PDF)
• Juneau Economic Indicators November 2001 (PDF)

Juneau Housing Needs Assessment

With support and funding from the City and Borough of Juneau, JEDC has completed a Juneau Housing Needs Assessment to provide housing data to community groups that are working to respond to housing issues in the capital city. For more information or to schedule a presentation on this report and/or the status of affordable housing and homelessness in Juneau,  please contact  Margaret O'Neal (affordable housing) at (907) 523-2326 or moneal@jedc.org or Jessy Post (homelessness) at (907) 523-2335 or jpost@jedc.org

• 2012 Report
• 2010 Report

JEDC One Page Brochure

A one page overview of the JEDC and its offerings.

SpringBoard One Page Brochure

An overview of the SpringBoard program.

Juneau Cold Storage: Demand and Feasibility

JEDC felt the lack of public cold storage was hampering growth of Juneau's seafood economy. In particular, JEDC noted, In addition to storage, expanded freezing and processing capacity would enhance growth of smaller seafood businesses, freeing up space and capital for higher-value processing equipment and activities.

Northern Economics, Inc. analyzed demand in 1998 for the CBJ, and JEDC wanted to review and note any differences in demand over the past 13 years. A key factor in 1998 and again in 2011 was the cost of service; proposed fees and charges would need to meet both capital and operating costs, providing a firm financial foundation for the facility, if constructed. JEDC and Northern Economics signed a contract to update the initial 1998 assessment in late June of 2011.

Southeast Alaska Business Climate Survey

The purpose of the Southeast Alaska Business Climate Survey was to better comprehend the barriers and benefits of owning and operating a business in Southeast Alaska. The survey also explored the different regional norms and attitudes, and which regional networks and institutions are most valuable to local businesses. The survey was completed by 243 business owners and top managers, representing every community in Southeast Alaska. Southeast Alaska business leaders were more likely to ascribe a barrier rating to freight and real estate costs, while quality of life attributes such as access to recreation, cultural opportunities and safety were seen as being the key benefits to businesses in the region.

Southeast Alaska Economic Asset Map 2010

In the fall of 2010, the US Forest Service put out a request for proposals for a Southeast Alaska Asset Map and a Regional Strategic Plan. In December 2010, the JEDC completed the asset mapping. The asset map is a dynamic database, which compiles regional assets including employment and demographics, education and workforce readiness, physical infrastructure, private industry, natural resources, local tax and regulatory environments, the regional business climate, quality of life, research and development and financial metrics. The database was then translated into a 250-page document entitled Southeast Alaska Economic Asset Map. In this study, JEDC sought to consult with business owners and managers about the most appealing and valuable assets present in the region.
View the Report

Alaska STEM: Education and the Economy

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the importance of K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to Alaska's economic future. The report describes STEM education, illustrates its connections to jobs and the economy, identifies barriers to its implementation, and concludes with concrete recommendations to strengthen STEM and Alaska.

Doing Business in Juneau: Paying Taxes

"Doing Business in Juneau: Paying Taxes" examines City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) taxes from a business perspective, including specifics about each tax (e.g., rates, exemptions). It aims to put into perspective the level of taxation of the Juneau business community. The CBJ taxes both sales and a broad spectrum of real and personal property. CBJ sales tax provides the largest percent of tax revenue, contributing just over half of total tax revenue in 2008. Enacting a sales tax has allowed CBJ to shift some of the burden of paying for municipal services to the many yearly visitors to Juneau who enjoy the benefit of these services.

Coordinated Transportation Plan

The primary goal of this addendum is to ensure that the coordinated human services element of the City and Borough of Juneau Transit Development Plan meets all federal grant funding eligibility requirements for Juneau's transportation providers for three groups:

• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• People from low-income households traveling to/from work

Legislative Session Visitors Satisfaction Survey, 2009

The purpose of this survey was to better understand which elements legislative and business travelers most enjoyed about their stay in Juneau, and to look for ways in which the community can better serve those who come to Juneau on business. The major finding of this study was the extent to which those who travel to Juneau for work are frustrated by local parking problems. Business visitors also want better airport facilities and a nicer looking capital city during legislative session.

The Economic Impact of the Juneau Subport Office Project, 2009

This study examined the economic impact of constructing a new downtown building. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA) is proposing to construct a $45 million, 136,000 square foot Subport Office Building in downtown Juneau to house 525 state employees. Construction would begin in June of 2010, with building leases starting in June of 2012. The total economic impact of the Juneau Subport Office Project on the Juneau economy is likely to be $31.3 million over the two-year duration of the construction phase, and the project will create 100 full-time jobs for the duration of the construction.

The Current Status of Childcare in Juneau, 2009

The purpose of this document was to assess the need for child care services in Juneau; inventory the assets available to meet local child care needs; compile additional statistics related to Juneau child care, including costs; and develop a problem analysis. In 2008 there were 498 licensed and approved child care slots for children five and under, serving a population of 2,200 children in that age range. Waiting lists were up to two years long, and the average yearly cost of child care was $8,750.

Juneau's Spring 2008 Hydroelectric Shortage: Business Impact Survey (2009)

In August of 2008, the Juneau Economic Development Council conducted a survey of Juneau businesses to determine the impacts experienced by Juneau businesses when the town lost access to hydro power during an avalanche event in April of 2008, and to understand how dramatic fluctuations in electricity prices affect local businesses, both financially and from a business behavior perspective.

Juneau Economic Benchmark Surveys

These reports present results from surveys of Juneau residents and bellwether businesses. The surveys gathered opinions and attitudes about the state of Juneau's economy.

• Juneau Economic Benchmark Survey Report 2006
• Juneau Economic Benchmark Survey Report 1993
• Juneau Economic Benchmark Survey Report 1990

JEDC Brochures

JEDC 25th Anniversary Brochure

Juneau's Housing Crisis Affects All

A 2-page brochure about Juneau's affordable housing crisis.

Juneau is Open for Business Brochure

This publication is designed to provide general information about Juneau for businesses considering relocating to Juneau or expanding Juneau operations. In it you will find the latest economic and demographic data, an overview of the Juneau economy, information about local schools and health care facilities, and a description of the quality of life in Juneau.

Other Research of Interest and Importance to Juneau and the Region

(Section under development. Please contact us if you would like to have your research presented here)

The Regional Economy of Southeast Alaska by ISER 2007

The Capital Economy, 2008

Hotel Market Analysis Juneau, Alaska May 2008

Alaska Department of Labor Trends Magazine

Nature Based Tourism in Southeast Alaska, ISER Working Paper, 2009

Alaska Economic Performance Report 2007

Economic Impacts of the Visitor Industry in Juneau 2007-08

Prepared by: McDowell Group
Prepared for: Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau

Wood Products and Development

Production of wood pellets from Alaska-grown white spruce and hemlock

An extensive literature review failed to locate any information relative to the pelleting characteristics of hemlock species--western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carr. )--that grow in Alaska. To determine more about the pelletizing properties of the species, arrangements were made with a pelleting company to conduct test runs using mixtures of pure Alaska-grown hemlock and combinations with white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). The test runs were conducted by using the same methods and procedures that the firm had been using in the production of white spruce pellets. The initial tests with Alaska hemlock resulted in pellets that were visually similar to those that the firm had been producing from spruce. Laboratory testing indicated that pellets made entirely of Alaska hemlock, or of Alaska hemlock and spruce mixtures, met most 2008 Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI) premium pellet and/ or standard pellet specifications, with a few exceptions. Given recent (October 17, 2010) changes to the PFI pellet specifications, pellets made entirely of hemlock, or of hemlock and spruce mixtures, could meet all premium pellet specifications with minor adjustments to the manufacturing process.

2007 & 2008 Tongass Sawmill Processing Update

MythBusters: Hemlock Pellets

TPT Test Results