March Economic Development Report
Prepared April 3, 2004

Fisheries Development

A primary story for March has been the incorporation and start of activity for the Kotzebue Sound Fisheries Association.  After meeting earlier to elect their Board of Directors (Walter Porter and Billy Reich, Co-Chairs, Sophie Foster, Tim Edenshaw, John Rae, Kenneth Tikik, and Jeff Hadley), the Board met with Henry Mitchell and Lenny Mcoohey on Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3.  It appears that Mr. Mcoohey, who has 34 years of experience in fish processing operations, is about to be officially hired as the manager of the operation for this year.  In the weeks ahead, the Board will be computing its budget and lining up financing that will allow for the purchase of fish and labor costs prior to receipt of payment for fish sent out of Kotzebue.  Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association is now negotiating for a marketing grant of approximately $50,000 that will help pay the cost of management of the plant in the initial year, as marketing will be a significant responsibility of that position.  The Borough has facilitated incorporation and all the meetings and activity of the association.

Small Business Grants and Loans

We continue to take applications for the balance of grant funds available for this year, with a focus on funds needed for start up of a number of village art centers.  We have already assisted well over 110 residents of the region with our grant program this year.  Eight small business loans were processed and approved over the last thirty days.

Village Art Center Development

The Borough submitted an application for $25,000 in grant funds from the First Alaskans Institute last month and the grant will provide $5,000 worth of tools, equipment and supplies for art centers in Buckland, Noorvik, Selawik, Ambler and Noatak if approved.  The Buckland Art Center is already in operation.  The Selawik Center was connected to electricity last month and we sent the final supplies needed to install the furnace.  We will meet with Selawik artists to assist them in organizing themselves to manage the facility in the very near future.  The Noorvik Art Center is awaiting installation of a wood burning stove before we can do minor renovations and wiring and install equipment to get that facility up and running.  The Kotzebue Art Center has been delayed by the University bureaucracy and we are still awaiting the preparation of design work.  If that work is not accomplished very soon, it will be difficult to begin construction this summer as planned.

Art Purchase and Marketing Program

We continue to purchase arts and crafts on a daily basis and are trying to build inventory for the coming tourist season.  The development of the Art Centers will be very important in allowing our present and future artists to both raise the quality of their work and have the use of equipment that will facilitate that work.

Small Business Education

Another presentation of small business management classes is currently being planned for early May, in conjunction with the University of Alaska.

Trade Fair

The Borough is participating in the planning for the traditional annual trade fair in July (likely July 5-7) that will be our new Arctic Small Business Gathering.  The Borough will organize art competition, small business education, and art instruction that will take place as part of that event.

ARDOR Funding

After many months of serious concern about the future of funding for the Alaska Regional Development Organizations, which has provided nearly $50,000 in annual revenue to the Borough in recent years, it appears that the funding will be retained.  A new structure for that program has been developed that will allow ARDORs to qualify for one of three different “tiers” of funding.  We have applied for the third and highest tier of funding, which may result in an increase in funding for next fiscal year.

Other Activity

Lee Stoops attended a meeting of the State Youth Advisory Council on March 31 and April 1 in Anchorage.  As an appointee to the Council, his travel and accommodations were paid by the Council.  The focus of the council is preparing a strategy to better prepare young people for immediate transition into vocations after high school.  He will also be a presenter at the Community Assets Conference in Anchorage on April 6 and 7, at the invitation and expense of the sponsors.

Northwest Arctic Borough Staff Directory

Northwest Arctic Borough
P.O. Box 1110 Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907)442-2500 (800)478-1110 Fax:(907)442-2930

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