By the Cordova Chamber of Commerce
The Cordova Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the next phase of its Hawai’i x Alaska Regenerative Impact Studio Exchange (RISE), a program designed to support long-term business development. With new strategic partners, the initiative will launch a hybrid intensive this month to further empower local entrepreneurs and organizational leaders.
The RISE program promotes locally driven economic growth and responsible resource management. Focused on Prince William Sound, Alaska, and Maui, Hawai’i, the program connects these regions to build up industries that honor both traditional knowledge and innovative approaches.
A cohort of eight aspiring experience providers in Cordova, Alaska, will participate in the hybrid business accelerator, receiving training and mentorship in regenerative economics and blue economy strategies. The program, which runs from March through April 2025, includes weekly sessions (via Zoom or in-person) covering business development, cultural exchange, and responsible tourism practices. A featured presenter during the intensive will be Mary Goddard, Tlingit artist and filmmaker, and Regional Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism in Southeast Alaska. Goddard, known for her work supporting rural coastal Alaska communities in developing sustainable tourism, will lead a special in-person session on April 14-15, 2025.
As part of this intensive, participants will also benefit from cooperative marketing and cultural exchange opportunities between Alaska and Hawai’i, helping them create meaningful, place-based experiences.
The program will culminate in a community showcase on May 13, 2025, open to the public at the Cordova Center, where Cordova residents are invited to learn more about the community benefits of these new visitor offerings.
Since its inception, RISE has received strong backing from industry and community partners, including Alaska Airlines, the Hurtigruten Foundation, the University of Alaska’s Alaska Blue Economy Center, and Hawai’i-based Naupaka Pacific. In 2025, the program welcomes new partners such as the Foundation for Rural Services, the Prince William Sound Economic Development District, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Center for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship. Part of the Community EPSCoR Interface of Change Accelerator program, this work is also supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the State of Alaska.
“As we continue to expand this initiative, our goal is to provide local businesses with the tools, support, and visibility needed to create lasting positive impacts in their community,” said Cathy Renfeldt, executive director of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce.
The Cordova Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization governed by a 13-member board of directors. It operates the Cordova Visitor Center and focuses on enhancing quality of life, economic development, destination management, and business support.
For more information or inquiries, please contact Cathy Renfeldt, Cordova Chamber of Commerce executive director, at (907) 424-7260 or [email protected].
This sponsored content was created in partnership with the Cordova Chamber of Commerce. If you’d like to learn more about sponsored content with The Cordova Times, email [email protected].
This story was updated at 5:12 p.m. on March 18.
