RDC’s 24th Annual Conference Presentations
Lt. Governor Loren Leman
It is a pleasure to be here today representing the Denali Commission. The Commission is a State-federal government cooperative effort that is applying exciting, innovative and efficient techniques to building infrastructure in rural Alaska.
Soon after our Inauguration, Governor Murkowski named me to be the State Co-chairman of the Denali Commission. I am happy to take on the assignment.
As the State Co-Chairman, my role is to supply leadership and direction from the State’s perspective.
I was raised in Ninilchik on the Kenai Peninsula. In the early 50s, the road between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula still had not been completed. My mother flew to Seward to deliver two of her babies. As a child, our only running water was delivered when my brother and I ran with buckets to and from the spring some 200-300 yards from our home. We had an outhouse and Sears catalog served double duty. Evening meals in the winter were by candlelight or lantern.
After the road to Anchorage was connected, we made the long trip over the gravel road for our visits to see our dentist and take care of other needs. Today Ninilchik's residents have access to electricity, running water and piped sewerage. Shopping is fairly convenient. Ninilchik also has a primary health care clinic, a dentist, a senior center and a volunteer fire department!
All this to say. . . I understand the challenges of living without basic services.
The Denali Commission has several responsibilities. Its primary purpose is to help build infrastructure in rural Alaska and provide training so local workers can build and maintain the facilities. I have spoken often of the need to “grow our own.” Governor Murkowski just last week launched a major employment program keyed to "good jobs for Alaskans" with a target goal of 90 percent or higher hire in the state's major economic categories. The training development that the Denali Commission helps Alaskans get those jobs. Also an important goal of the Commission is to deliver government services efficiently. Ultimately, the Commission and its partners must go beyond just building infrastructure – we must assist Alaska’s communities to become self-sufficient.
We know communities will not be able to count on State or federal government funding alone for sustenance. That’s why the Commission’s work to maximize the efficiency of government services and to assist with needs like health care clinics and bulk fuel storage facilities is so important.
During the past year, I have been coordinating among the 14 State departments as well as federal agencies to communicate our Administration’s policies so we can pull together coherently. I have placed one of my key staff, Rachael Petro, directly in the Commission office. The way the Commission is structured, by gathering staff from State and federal agencies, certainly helps us with coordinating challenges early on.
I am pleased that Commissioners Blatchford and Irwin, along with all other State Commissioners and 19 federal agencies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Denali Commission – pledging to work together to improve the efficiency of government services and in turn, lay the groundwork for more communities to choose to grow their economies.
The future of our communities does not rest solely in the hands of government agencies. We can help, but eventually the choices and consequences belong to Alaskans.
The Denali Commission is a big part of making a difference in Alaska.
