Choose Anchorage
A Framework for Revitalization
Our Strategic Plan
AEDC secured a grant from the United States Economic Development Administration to develop an economic industry and workforce cluster analysis for the city. This grant enabled AEDC to engage with TIP Strategies, a national economic consulting firm, to lead the analysis and planning effort that was guided by a volunteer 20-member steering committee. After eleven months of interviews and roundtable discussions with economic development stakeholders and comprehensive quantitative analyses, Choose Anchorage: A Framework for Revitalization was created. This plan consists of four major goals that build on one another:
BUSINESS VITALITY – Driving new and strengthening existing businesses.
TALENT – Deepening the pipeline of skilled talent.
QUALITY OF PLACE – Enhancing the city’s quality of place.
INFRASTRUCTURE – Investing in critical infrastructure.
The set of strategies and actions identified within this plan is meant to provide community partners, business leaders, and government officials with a roadmap to collectively strengthen Anchorage’s economic vitality over the next five years and beyond.

BUSINESS VITALITY
Create a dynamic and diverse business base that drives higher levels of new investment and job creation.
- Strengthen AEDC’s business retention and expansion efforts.
- Focus diversification efforts on emerging market opportunities.
- Continue expanding and deepening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Anchorage.
- Serve as a source of business intelligence to support Anchorage’s efforts to diversify into emerging market sectors.

TALENT
Build a robust talent pool with skills that meet the needs of current and future employers to foster a more resilient and diversified economic base.
- Develop an independent regional workforce development board covering the Anchorage area.
- Expand partnerships in leading sectors to build awareness of career opportunities in the region and offer education and training.
- Promote Anchorage’s value proposition for talent.
- Leverage the existing and future regional veterans’ community to support talent demand and career opportunities.
- Expand support systems for Anchorage’s young professionals to retain talent and grow a future community leadership pipeline.

QUALITY OF PLACE
Invest in Anchorage’s quality of place to help reverse current migration trends and support the retention and attraction of young people.
- Increase the number of housing units, owner and rental, across the spectrum of affordability and density.
- Elevate downtown revitalization opportunities (including redevelopment, infill, and adaptive reuse).
- Leverage the presence of Anchorage’s recreational assets through marketing opportunities.
- Support and advocate for creative strategies for addressing people experiencing homelessness in Anchorage through the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness.
- Develop and promote Anchorage’s identity (districts, wayfinding, beautification, activation).

INFRASTRUCTURE
Leverage existing assets in a sustainable manner and invest in critical infrastructure to shape quality places that are attractive to business and talent.
- Secure full funding for the reconstruction of dock facilities at the Port of Alaska.
- Facilitate the development of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport as a hub for international air cargo operations and passenger flights.
- Work with private developers to provide the infrastructure needed to support new housing construction.
- Strengthen the city’s transportation network to improve safety, encourage walking and bicycling, activate streets, and encourage economic activity.
- Design a public investment strategy to spur private investment and talent retention/ attraction in Anchorage.