Governor Sean Parnell on Wednesday congratulated six Alaskan businesses and organizations, including two seafood companies that were recipients of the 2010 Governor's North Star Awards for International Excellence.
"Alaskans have strong international ties across almost every industry in our state," Gov. Parnell said. "I am pleased to honor the international successes of these businesses and organizations that benefit not only overseas markets and groups, but Alaskans at home."
The awards were presented at the Export Alaska luncheon in Anchorage.
Seafood Producers' Cooperative (SPC) is a 520-member cooperative, and the oldest, largest and most successful seafood cooperative in the United States. As a co-op of hook-and-line fishermen for salmon, halibut and black cod, SPC and its members are representative of Southeast Alaska's fishing communities. With significant investment in its Sitka facilities, SPC was recognized for quality processing and its efforts to market seafood internationally.
Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) is a nonprofit corporation comprised of 20-member villages along the Kuskokwim coast from Scammon Bay to Platinum in western Alaska. CVRF participates in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program and uses earnings from the Bering Sea Pollock, cod, and crab fisheries to provide economic development and other opportunities for its 9,300 residents. In 2009, CVRF completed construction of a USD 40 million salmon processing facility in Platinum. CVRF began direct international marketing and recently opened an office in Japan.
Other winners included All Alaska Tours, China Airlines, Institute of the North, and the Alaska Sudan Medical Project.
