THE KEY OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP THE WATER AND ALASKA VITAL ENERGY SYSTEMS (WAVES) PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING WATER POWER IN ALASKA. PHASE 1 WILL FUND LAUNCH ALASKA STAFF TIME TO IDENTIFY GAPS BETWEEN EMERGING WATER POWER TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECT DEPLOYMENT IN ALASKA THROUGH STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT. PHASE II WILL BUILD ON THAT WORK BY CONTINUING TO FUND A POSITION THAT WILL WORK WITH BOTH INDUSTRY AND WATER POWER COMPANIES TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO TECHNOLOGIES WANTING TO WORK IN ALASKA BY PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF RESOURCES FOR WATER POWER STARTUPS THAT INCLUDE BESPOKE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, SUCH AS MARKET ANALYSIS, REGULATORY GUIDANCE, MENTORSHIP AND NETWORKING. PHASE II WILL ALSO SUPPORT COMPANIES COMING TO ALASKA THROUGH THE TECH DEPLOYMENT TRACK TO MEET WITH POTENTIAL INVESTORS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERS.