If the state of Alaska wants to help businesses succeed, shouldn't it have a business plan, too? That's a question the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce asked the state in December 2008.

On Tuesday morning, Gov. Sean Parnell and Deputy Commissioner Mark Davis of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development reassured the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce members during its fall conference that the administration has heard their pleas.

The state of Alaska has a plan, too -- the Legacy Plan.

The Legacy Plan is the state's policy to position the private sector economy for growth in the future, Parnell said. Debunking the bumper-sticker philosophy that Alaskans don't care how they do it Outside, Parnell said Alaska can learn from other states, like Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels.

"Government does not create jobs," Parnell quoted Daniels. "It only creates the conditions that make jobs more likely."

Former Gov. Sarah Palin created the Legacy Plan in February when she reestablished the multi-agency Alaska Diversified Economic Planning Team, or ADEPT.

In an administrative order creating ADEPT, Palin said the team is to identify the state's strengths and weaknesses in economic development and develop long- and short-term strategies for economic development and diversification. Palin called the plan the Legacy Plan, and said it should be a dynamic document to be used by successive administrations and help shape Alaska's next 50 years.

"The Alaska Legacy Plan is founded on the belief that the best thing government can do to foster economic development is to lend a hand and then to simply get out of the way," Parnell said.

Davis talked about how other states have created business plans. Oregon is a model of public and private partnerships. One thing Oregon did was identify industry clusters to see how the state could support local businesses. For example, the state recognized that it had many sportswear clothing manufacturers. To support them, it did "product placement," the Hollywood term for deliberate use of brand names in movies. Whenever models were used in state brochures, Oregon made sure they wore clothing made in Oregon.

Alaska's Legacy Plan brings together diverse business groups, from fishing to mining, to work together with government -- especially the federal government.

"The best plans are the ones that have private and public involvement," Davis said.

The Legacy Plan has 12 work groups made up of private-sector, state and federal team members. The teams cover such economic areas as forest products, health care, housing, tourism, in-state energy, mining, tourism and infrastructure. Not all economic interests are represented, or might be considered under some working groups.

"This is going to be an evolving process," Davis noted. "We're going to work with other interest groups," he added.

The Legacy Plan will not be a series of plans to collect dust on a shelf, Parnell said. It's also not meant to justify throwing money around haphazardly.

The Legacy Plan work has a main guiding principle, Parnell said. "We're going to invest in our own success," he said. "When Alaskans' money is spent it must create opportunity for Alaskans."

But the state has to keep involved -- a commitment Parnell said he intends to keep. "Maximizing our potential, planning to succeed, investing in success for Alaska's future -- these are terrific principles," he said. "But they can only be successful if Alaskans are involved in the process."

A Web site on the Legacy Plan is at www.commerce.state.ak.us/legacy/home.cfm.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong.@homernews.com.