As COVID-19 takes its economic toll, task force looks at immediate & long-term needs

The Juneau Assembly has brought together members from the civic, financial, and business communities to be part of the Economic Stabilization Task Force, an advisory group of the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. In order to address the economic challenge brought on by the spread of COVID-19, the goal of the task force is to identify infrastructure and community economic revitalization programs that will protect segments of the community and economy most at immediate risk while also building a foundation for long-term recovery. The first meeting of the Task Force, a virtual meeting, is today at 3 p.m. Read the agenda here.

Members of the public can listen in telephonically – call 907-713-2140 and enter PID# 748914. No public testimony will take place.

Task Force members are Linda Thomas, Alaskan Brewery (co-chair); Max Mertz CPA (co-chair); former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch; former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho; Lauren MacVay, True North Federal Credit Union; Theresa Belton, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; Eric Forst, Red Dog Saloon; Terra Peters, Flying Squirrel; and Laura Martinson, Caribou Crossing. Members will serve for six months unless extended by the Mayor. Read the charging document here.

Comments, questions, and/or suggestions related to the effect of COVID-19 on Juneau’s economy should be emailed to the task force members at [email protected]. Assembly members will also receive these emails. Look here to find future task force meeting agendas and documents.

For local news, information, and resources to help keep Juneau safe and healthy, go to juneau.org/covid-19.