Scaling economic opportunity in coastal Alaska: industry goals and expected impacts of public investments
Dan Lesh, Deputy Director, Southeast Conference, USA
Conference
Previous Conferences
Speaker
Speaker
Seagriculture USA
11 - 12 September 2024
Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
About speaker:
Dan brings a deep background in coastal Alaska to his work leading economic development projects at Southeast Conference. Prior to joining SEC, Dan served as a senior consultant at McKinley Research Group (formerly McDowell Group). In his seven years at that firm, he led teams completing market assessments, economic development plans, feasibility studies, and other assignments for a wide variety of clients across Alaska and beyond.
A lifelong Alaskan, Dan’s professional experience includes policy analysis for the Alaska Legislature; tourism operations; serving on the Gustavus City Council; and renewable energy program development. He holds an undergraduate degree from Grinnell College and an MBA from the University of Illinois.
Company:
Established in 1958, Southeast Conference (SEC) is the state and federally recognized economic development district for Southeast Alaska. SEC works collaboratively with municipal, Tribal, and business leaders to advance regional economic and community development priorities. In 2022, SEC was awarded a $49 million grant through the EDA’s Building Back Better Regional Challenge to advance Alaska’s mariculture industry. The organization also has a leadership role in statewide renewable energy and biomass development, heat pump adoption, and revitalization of the Alaska Marine Highway System, among other areas.
Presentation:
Review of progress toward the Alaska mariculture industry’s economic growth goals and expected impacts of public investments designed to de-risk the industry and drive increased private investment.