Economic Impact of the USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy Investment Spending, 2023

Southeast Alaskans are experiencing the economic impacts of nearly $9 million spent in the region after two years of the USDA’s Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy (SASS).

This milestone is featured in a newly released 2023 SASS Economic Report, which highlights last year’simpacts of direct spending by partners and indirect economic activity following the strategy’s launch in2021.

SASS funding was invested in local recreation, fishing, hunting, research, construction, education, agriculture, and forestry projects. In 2023, partner spending on SASS investment projects reached about $6.9 million, more than tripling the economic impacts from the year prior, which neared $2 million. Other notable 2023 statistics include the realization of 114 jobs and direct and indirect wages of $2.8 million.

Over the past two years, approximately 25 partner organizations in Southeast Alaska have effectively utilized SASS funds, amounting to $9 million, to advance 47 projects. Remaining funds from the overall $25 million investment in SASS will continue to focus on investments that improve the economic, social, and environmental conditions for tribes and communities in Southeast Alaska.