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COMMENTARY

Regional Economic Development

Calista Corporation Vision - Increase financial prosperity through diversified, global investments and business ventures - adhering to our Native values and corporate responsibility.

Calista Corporation Mission - Increase Shareholder benefits and economic opportunities through innovation, growth, leadership, execution and financial discipline.

President/CEO Matthew Nicolai
Calista Status

"As we ease into the new year, business and political leaders nationwide are watching Calista as a prime example of an ANCSA Corporation that sets the standard for growing an increasingly profitable company, while also adding to our list of accomplishments that may not be directly related to revenues, but that help our shareholders continue to thrive."

New Ways of Looking at our Economy
Government dollars, although still very much needed, forms much of the economy in the Calista region. We realize now that we cannot depend solely on government and outside resources. Investing through private enterprise, local and regional entrepreneurship and doing so creatively is now the order of the day.

Vernon Smith
UAA Chairman of Economics

New Ways of Looking at our Economy

"I think it’s incredible the mileage you’ve gotten from federal money, but I think you know that cannot be the basis of your economy. The government fundamentally cannot be a creator of wealth." He also said, "You have a great need here for up-front capital funds. You have to find new ways to do the same thing with new capital ventures here."

Calista promotes the development of a Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). What is an economic development corporation? It is a legal entity or organization directed by a Board of Directors and/or members, for the purpose of creating business opportunities, new jobs and income growth. The Directors for a Calista/AVCP Region EDC could represent ALL sectors of our regional economy (no single entity would have control nor would the EDC function without oversight from the membership).

Purpose

Economic Development Corporations (EDC) are used by numerous communities, counties, boroughs, corporations and regions to attract new businesses, private companies, resource companies, etc. to place infrastructure and investments in their local markets.

Economically depressed counties or boroughs use special federal and state legislation such as tax incentives to lure new businesses to their areas or communities.

An EDC can provide research, economic development data and information to support an EDC’s development goals and to interpret economic trends, threats and opportunities.

Prioritizing Economic Development Projects

Projects should be cohesive, integrated and coordinated, based on cooperation by all stakeholders, built on the strengths of the Region and a commitment to the well-being of our people. Projects and activities directed towards sustainability, long-term viability, and based upon socially and environmentally responsible principles form the basis of Regional Economic Development Corporations.

Read more of Calista's commentary on Regional Economic Development by downloading the pdf.