HOUSE BILL NO. 272 An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska regional economic assistance program; and providing for an effective date. REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR, testified that HB 272 provided for a re-extension of the Alaska Regional Development Organizations (ARDOR) statute. The Alaska Regional Economic Assistance Program was created by the Legislature in 1988 to promote the economic development of Alaska's urban and rural areas. The program enables the creation of the ARDOR's. Each ARDOR is guided and directed by a Board of Directors composed of the economic development interests in their region. To carry out the mission, the State provides funding in the form of grants for the program. In turn, the ARDOR's use that money to leverage, on average, eight times the State's investment in private, federal and other funds. Currently, there are eleven ARDOR's across the State that: · Enable local officials and businesses to pool their limited resources and work together on economic development; · Develop partnerships among public, private and other organizations; and · Provide technical assistance via direct links with local citizens. Vice-Chair Stoltze stated that the programs are an important part of the economic development in each region. The program is funded primarily through the use of Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) receipts. He said that the extension request was not controversial and urged support for the legislation. 2:25:48 PM KATHIE WASSERMAN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (AML), JUNEAU, spoke in full support for HB 272. She explained that AML works closely with the ARDOR's. AML addresses legislative issues, not those of economic development. However, it is hoped that the issues that AML does address, can provide communities the tools from which to upgrade their economic development needs. She reiterated support for the bill. Ms. Wasserman changed her hats, pointing out that as Chair of the Denali Commission Economic Development group, she works with the ARDOR's and noted that all projects look better to the State if they are done on a regional bases. 2:28:02 PM JOHN PARKER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, offered to answer questions of the Committee. 2:28:33 PM PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED. 2:28:59 PM Co-Chair Meyer asked if State grants had been included for the program. Vice-Chair Stoltze said they had, recalling individual ARDOR projects. Co-Chair Meyer asked if there had been any collaboration between Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) and the ARDOR program. Vice-Chair Stoltze discussed that many ARDOR members, also work in the tourism industry. ATIA does "cross pollinate" in small communities, which usually includes the local chamber of commerce's. 2:32:11 PM Co-Chair Meyer asked if the bill was intended to be held in Committee for an amendment. Vice-Chair Stoltze replied it would be fine to hold the bill, because it was anticipated that an amendment would be forthcoming. 2:32:57 PM HB 334 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.