Overview
The Alaska Rural Visitor Industry Product Development project represents an 18-month partnership between the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Commerce), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), and regional economic development organizations.
Project goals are to establish and market products or activities that will strengthen the visitor industry in the local and regional economies. The focus of this project is on groups of rural communities rather than individual communities, wherein a stronger destination can be created through partnerships and by linking attractions. Over the next eighteen months we’ll be targeting selected projects identified as high potential tourism opportunities likely to increase employment and public and private sector investment in the Alaska visitor industry in the near term.
Goal(s)
- To maximize locally identified tourism development opportunities through public-private partnerships and business skill development.
- To provide maximum economic benefit through tourism development efforts that will benefit multiple communities within a given region.
- To help selected communities realize short-term tourism development goals through targeted technical assistance.
- To help selected communities identify and secure potential funding sources to achieve their long-term tourism development goals.
Program Timeline
December 1, 2004 – May 30, 2006
Benefits
This project does not include direct financial grants between the State and successful participants. However, this is a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships among agencies, development organizations, and contractors to help a limited number of recognized visitor industry opportunities become reality. To accomplish this, these and other services could be provided under this project:
· Training & customized workshops – (i.e. AlaskaHost customer service, training in insurance and legal aspects of starting and operating a business, Internet marketing, etc);
· Website development - hands on training and assistance;
· Business and marketing plan assistance;
· Grant writing assistance and funding strategy development;
· Specialized assistance in branding and packaging activities and attractions;
· Permitting assistance;
· Collateral material development – (i.e. brochures, etc.);
· Market research
Project Information and Outline
If you wish to participate in this effort, please send us a 2-5 page narrative with the following information by Friday November 12, 2004:
Name of Applicant ___________________________
Name(s) of Community(ies) ____________________
To benefit
Title of Project _____________________________
Contact Person _____________________________
Mailing Address ____________________________
E-mail Address ____________________________
Telephone & Fax numbers ____________________
Narrative
1) Project Description: What is the project? Who is involved? Where will it be located? Identify specific goals, objectives and expected outcomes. What specific attractions or products will be involved (i.e. Native arts and crafts, eco-lodge, wildlife viewing/ birding festivals, marketing historic or cultural themes)
2) Project Readiness: Summarize efforts taken to date. If the project entails a public/private partnership, describe the arrangement, including how the public investment will be secured. When will you be ready to start? How long will the project take to accomplish? Identify any needed feasibility, marketing, or other plans/studies and their status. If completed, attach a copy of the pages pertaining to this project.
3) Project Impact: What are the anticipated outcomes of the tourism project? How will the project improve the community’s economy in a significant and long lasting way? How will it benefit residents? Does it support expansion of an existing business or create new business? How many part-time or full-time jobs will this project create/retain? Will the project support local hire? How many businesses will be affected by the project and how? Will the project bring a larger project to “funding ready“ condition?
4) Community & Other Support: Describe actions that indicate active community support for this project. Is there sufficient local involvement with the project? What resources can communities and stakeholders “pool” together to create a stronger visitor destination? Provide documentation of any formal actions taken (for example: resolutions adopted, survey results, letters of endorsement). Discuss and document any other support (for example: agencies, businesses, etc.) Is the project identified in a community plan? If yes, provide documentation. How will this project help implement the plan?
For additional information contact: Odin Brudie – 907-465-5466
Mailing Address: PO Box 110809 Juneau AK 99811-0809 Fax: 907-465-5466
