Senate Proclaims 2019 as Year of Innovation

JUNEAU – The Alaska State Senate today unanimously approved a resolution proclaiming 2019 as the Year of Innovation in Alaska.

“Alaskans are innovators by necessity, with Native peoples, pioneers, explorers, miners, fishermen, builders, soldiers, scientists, loggers, engineers, teachers, law enforcement personnel, oil field workers, entrepreneurs, students, artists, and all hard-working Alaskans responding to the state's geography and climate with forward-thinking solutions,” said Sen. Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) the resolution’s sponsor. “This resolution if passed by the House will result in innumerable opportunities to spur innovation and grow Alaska’s economy.”

The National Bureau of Economic Research reports that net job creation is driven by startups – creating an average of three million jobs annually. Alaska’s current fiscal climate calls for innovative solutions, as seen in the work of many legislative committees and formation of a bipartisan, bicameral Innovation Caucus.

Collaboration between regional and statewide economic development groups, universities, investors, businesses and entrepreneurs has helped create an innovation community in Alaska. Aligning stakeholders around collective action helps engage the next generation of Alaskan entrepreneurs. Events such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Arctic Innovation Competition, the Innovation Summit, Alaska Startup Week, and the Launch create an ecosystem for innovation and help bring new ideas to market.

SCR 10 is now on its way to the Alaska House of Representatives for consideration.