Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

The Haines Economic Development Corporation held its annual meeting last week and presented the latest economic indicators, comparing the Haines economy before and after the pandemic.

HEDC economic development analyst Sylvia Heinz said 2019 is broadly recognized as a peak following about a decade of upward trajectory for indicators of economic health.

Per capita income in the Chilkat Valley, for example peaked at $72,000 and indicators such as average monthly employment and income distribution were all rising. Until the pandemic. The graphs included with this story show a variety of economic indicators. Other notable statistics are that Haines is no longer the oldest community in Alaska. It's now tied for the oldest with Hoonah, with an average age of 48.6.

Gender compensation disparity is also noteworthy. In Haines, women earn 60% that of men based on 2019 data.

"A large proportion of the income is industries in sectors like construction that account for a large percentage of total wages in Haines," Heinz said. "Since those industries are dominated by men that mostly accounts for the gender compensation gap. There's data that suggest that in 2020 a large reason for unemployment is care for dependents. We can expect this gender compensation gap will increase."

In Alaska, women earn 83% that of men compared to 81% in the U.S. overall.

HEDC also released its 2021 fiscal year-end report at the annual meeting.

"The year has been a one of transition. We hired a new executive director, hired staff to implement programs, and are navigating HEDC's new grant-focused funding reality. We have had good success securing grants and have increased organizational capacity by hiring a part-time program manager," the report says.

Based on a Haines business survey of 47 local businesses, 52% reported a reduction in employment in 2020, 72% said they're operating at a reduced level and 75% reported a decrease in revenue compared to 2019.

HEDC has also begun its "Pivot Program," which enables participating businesses to access professional branding, marketing, website and digital advertising support that will aim to diversify their customer base.

Alaska Fjordlines, Body IQ Physcial Therapy, Fairweather Ski Works, Rainbow Glacier Adventures and Sockeye Cycle were the first five businesses accepted into the program. They'll work one-on-one with Aasman Brand Communications of Whitehorse, Yukon to determine which marketing strategies could best help meet their needs. Fifteen local businesses and nonprofits have applied.

The grant is funded by the federal Economic Development Administration.