D'Anne Hamilton	Kim Franklin	Vika Owens
Economic Development Director	Suliafich Arts Center Administrator	Arts & Crafts Coordinator

 New! FY08 ARDOR Work Plan

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (09/04)

Northwest Arctic Borough

Economic Development Department/ARDOR

 Who We Are

A central mission of the administration of the Northwest Arctic Borough is to promote economic development that is consistent with the traditional culture and values of the people of the region, who are 83% Alaska Native.  That promotion occurs through identification of programs and services that will encourage such development, coordination with other agencies and governments within and outside the region, direct administration of grant, loan and marketing programs, and the collection and distribution of employment, education and other demographic data.

 The Economic Development Department at the Northwest Arctic Borough is funded in part by a grant from the State Dept. of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Office of Economic Development, as one of eleven Alaska Economic Development Organizations (ARDORs) around the State(http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/ardor/ardor.htm). The Economic Development Department is staffed by D'Anne Hamilton, Economic Development Director; Aakatchaq Schaeffer, Suliafich Arts Center Administrator; and Vika Owens, Arts & Crafts Coordinator.

The Economic Development Department administers all Borough programs designed to promote economic opportunity for the Borough’s residents. The department also serves as staff support to the Economic Development Commission.

 Economic Development Commission

The Borough Economic Development Commission (EDC) is established in order to identify resources available, and to establish and implement strategies and plans to enable residents of the Borough to improve their economic condition.                                          (Northwest Arctic Borough Code 11.06.005)

 The Economic Development Commission was established in 1987 to provide general direction and oversight of economic development in the region. The Commission meets four times per year and includes a variety of members, appointed by the mayor, who provide a broad and representative perspective on behalf of the region.  We recently revised the composition of the board: Commission members include representatives from the Northwest Arctic Borough; NANA Regional Corporation; Teck Cominco Alaska, Inc.; a utility representative; a financial or professional business; a regional higher education organization; a tribal representative of a tribal organization; and two members owning an ongoing private business within the Borough. The NAB Mayor and Assembly President, along with a State Senator and State Legislator, serve as ex-officio, non-voting members. A chairman is selected by the Borough Mayor.  The responsibilities of the Economic Development Commission include:

1. Review and comment on all aspects of economic development and taxation that come before the assembly and planning commission;
2. Identify and promote services designed to encourage economic development to local communities and business within the Borough;
3. Collect and distribute information relevant to the Borough;
4. Coordinate between government of all levels, businesses, and the borough residents in implementing economic development activities;
5. Present to the Assembly an annual request for funding of the activities of the commission.

Small Business Grant Program

The NWAB Assembly has made $60,000 available this year for grants to small businesses in a community within the Northwest Arctic Borough for expansion or start-up costs.  These grants can be a maximum of $5,000 to organizations serving many people or up to $1,500 for individuals.  Grants are for the purpose of purchasing tools, equipment, and supplies, acquiring training, or assisting with various start up costs.  Upon approval of a grant request, payments will be made only to vendors for specific expenses.

Grant applications are available at the borough office in Kotzebue, from the Resource Specialists in each of the ten outlying villages, or can be printed from this site.

Youth Group Revolving Loan Fund

This program provides youth groups with access to capital for fundraising ventures. These include, but are not limited to, sales of school logo clothing or purchase of income producing equipment or supplies. Short-term loans of up to $2,000 are available and are interest free.

Regional Employment Profile

In 2001, the borough conducted a survey of working age adults in the ten area villages to determine actual employment rates, recognize perceived barriers to employment, and record vocational training interests.  The survey was also used to create a “talent pool” of qualified labor in each village.  The 764 completed surveys represented 44% of the total population in the target group of adults ages 18-64.  The results will serve to validate and strengthen grant requests for adult basic education, vocational training, daycare and Headstart, and any other programs aimed at expanding the weak economic base and providing a brighter future for Northwest Arctic Borough residents.  Survey results and the database are shared with all interested entities.  Graphs of survey results are available here.

Arts and Crafts Marketing Program

As a means of promoting traditional Native arts and crafts as a reliable source of income for residents, the borough takes an active role in assisting artists sell their products.  A revolving art purchase fund has been established that enables the borough to actually purchase crafts directly from artists.  The fund is reimbursed for that purchase cost by retail outlets.  This program is exclusively for residents who are dedicated to producing work on a large scale, on a regular basis, as a means of producing a reliable source of continuing income.  Artists are encouraged to contact Vika Owens at the borough office for information about this program.

F.R. Ferguson Scholarship Program

In 1998, the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly created this scholarship program in recognition of the contributions made by Senator Frank R. Ferguson to honor his long career of public service to the residents of the State of Alaska and the Northwest Arctic Borough.

Application Deadlines: Fall Semester-Aug 15 Spring Semester-Jan 15 Summer-April 15

 

View our Artist Index to see individual artists and their crafts

P.O. Box 1110, Kotzebue, Alaska, 99752 - Toll free in Alaska:  (800) 478-1110
Phone:  (907) 442-2500 - Fax:  (907) 442-2930