10 | Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation
tion of higher learning. Dodson says the
University has been an important partner in
economic development and assists on a va-
riety of fronts that involves research, testing
and development of arctic products. He says
that the blueberry is just one example of re-
search initiatives which may one day give rise
to new industries that will be economically
beneficial to Fairbanks.
Of course, diets involve much more than
consumption of blueberries. Fairbanks gen-
eral food supply is not only a general concern,
but a genuine business opportunity awaiting
a bright entrepreneur. Dodson explains that
the region only produces four percent of the
total food that is annually consumed.The de-
pendence on imports prompted review fol-
lowing events of September 11, 2001. With
air service halted throughout the United
States, regional leaders quickly realized how
interruptions in food shipments impacted
residents. The EDC has been supporting ini-
tiatives to create food co-ops and programs
which empower local growers to bring more
of their goods to market on a timely and reli-
able basis. As Dodson says, “There’s a busi-
ness opportunity here for an entrepreneur
who could provide solutions for greater col-
Jim Dodson, President and CEO FEDC
