HomeMy WebLinkAbout01192022 PACAB Work Session PacketPort& Commerce Advisory Board
Work Session Packet
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Topics:
1) Collaborate with Chamber of Commerce to identify
barriers to doing business in Seward;
2) Review J-1 and 11213 visas;
3) Discussion with Tara Reimer on the hiring
difficulties at their business (ASLC)
January 19, 2022
City Council Chambers Beginning at 12: 00 p.m.
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CHAMBER
January 2022
PACAB: Barriers to Business in Seward
Individual surveys of business owners collected by the Seward Chamber of Commerce -
Frequently Mentioned Problems:
Real Estate/Space
Seward's seasonality
Parking & Parking Enforcement
Freight Costs and Time
High Utility Bills
Employee Retention
Lack of Employee Housing
Creating Business Connections/Financing
"In the off season, this town is dead. Less is open this year than three years ago. It doesn't
make Seward a welcoming place to visit. So, while the community is supportive, it's not easy to
operate a year-round business in a ghost town. It's too expensive to be open, so it's not worth
it."
"The downtown and harbor areas are disjointed, and not collaborating well to promote each
other all year long."
"(As a food truck owner) parking is the biggest issue. Even when there is a sign that says don't
park here, it doesn't work."
"Freight costs and times are big issues. It takes two days longer and it's more expensive,
causing a lag and a lack of revenue if you're waiting on a part. Boats need to stay running,
hotels need to keep operating, because if one part goes out that revenue is lost until the freight
can get up here."
"I didn't really know a whole lot of people in Seward... So not having the network and trying to
start a business was so overwhelming.) feel like everyone was giving me different advice, and it
was all advice that I don't think was very good. I felt really alone."
"Who do I talk to, what permits do I need? I didn't know what I needed. If I hadn't had the
contractor in my life, I wouldn't have known. I felt like there was no one place to tell me what I
needed to do. "
Pros:
City is easy to work with. Permitting processes usually go smoothly.
Seward Job Market, Growth and Planning
PACAB January / February 2022
The following is only a preliminary outline with very broad industry descriptions. It
is intended to form only a starter point of topics for discussion and review. Due to
the urgent need, this review by PACAB will be at a very high level, intended to
identify needs, problems, bottlenecks, or obstacles that might impede hiring or
retention of needed employees in the Seward area.
1. Industries mostly effected with Permanent Positions
a. Education
i. ASLC
ii. AVTEC
iii. KPB Schools
b. Retail Sales
c. Health
d. Corrections
e. Government Services
f. Longshore & Shipping
g. Other
2. Industries mostly effected with Seasonal and Temporary positions
a. Fisheries
b. Tourism
c. B&B and Hotels
d. Construction
e. Marine Repair
f. Other
3. General category of positions
a. Skilled Craft
b. Unskilled
c. Service Industry
d. Professional
4. Current Sources of Recruitment
a. Internet Search
b. Transfers
c. J1 Visa
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Seward Job Market, Growth and Planning
PACAB January / February 2022
d.
1-1113 Visa
e.
In State Hiring Agents
f.
Past worker lists
g.
Labor and Trade Unions
h.
Other
5. Impediments to Employee Prospects
a.
Housing
i. Availability
1. Rent / Lease
2. Purchase
3. Employer provided
ii. Cost
1. Property
2. Utilities
a. Electric
b. Water and Sewer
c. Roads
3. Regulatory
4. Financing
5. Other
b.
Access to Amenities/ Lifestyle
i. Health
ii. Recreation
iii. Education
iv. Culture
v. Transportation
c.
Cost of Living
d.
Training or added experience
e.
Other
6. Solutions / Options
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