2004 ARDOR Annual Report Summary

During the past year the Northwest Arctic Borough ARDOR met its goals of providing ongoing assistance for the development and improvement of small scale private enterprises, re-establishing a Kotzebue Sound Salmon fishery, developing local art centers, and maintaining the art purchase and marketing program.  We were also able to share information about our innovative practices before audiences at both the Alaska Municipal League annual meeting in Nome and a Community Development conference in Anchorage.

Small Business Grants.  The annual SB Grant fund of $50,000 was distributed in the form of over 125 individual grants to residents and local organizations.  These grants were largely in the form of tools and equipment, travel for training, business licensing, and investments in the Buckland, Selawik, and Noorvik Art Centers.

Small Business Loans.  Our loan program provided 43 interest-free small business loans to local residents during FY04.  Due to the $800 limit on these loans, the total amount of those loans was $27,000.  The fund was also utilized to purchase $25,000 worth of salmon gillnet gear that allowed local fishermen to gear up for the commercial season.  Most of the loans for purchases of that gear will appear on the FY05 report, as the transactions took place after June 30.  Loans for this year were largely for the purchase of goods for resale, supplies for arts and crafts, ongoing development of the Amigaq Coppermine site review, and other small business ventures within the region. 

Fishing Industry Support.  The renovation of the local fish plant and preparation for the current fishing season was a highlight of the past year.  The Borough worked in conjunction with the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association, which was the recipient of a grant of $465,000 for renovation to the plant and start up costs.  The Borough provided matching funds of $40,000, assisted with the organization of the Kotzebue Sound Fisheries Association, and provided logistical assistance to the project management.  The addition of fishing to the local economy will provide income opportunities to dozens of permit holders and their crewmembers.  The plant will also employ from15-20 seasonal workers.  To begin FY05, the Borough has issued 46 grants for commercial fishing crewmember licenses, which were completed online at the Borough office.  The cost of each license, which is required in order to provide assistance to a  permit holder, is $60.

Art Center Development.  In partnership with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and the Chukchi Campus, the Sulainich Art Center project has advanced to the extent that the project will finally be put out to bid at the end of July.  The bid should be awarded by late August and construction should be completed this fall.  The Buckland Art Center opened in December of 2003 in a city-owned building that required only minor improvements.  The Borough provided equipment, some supplies, and funds for heat and electricity.  The center is managed by local artists and serves up to the 38 Buckland residents who signed liability waiver forms as a requirement for cooperative use.  The Noorvik Art Center was developed in a city-owned building that needed substantial upgrade.   It has been painted and re-wired for safety and proper operation of equipment and new lighting.  We also installed a monitor heater.  The art center will be ready for occupancy this summer.  The Selawik Art Center is also nearly ready for opening.  It received new windows and door, complete re-wiring, a new monitor stove and some lighting.  The Center is housed in a building donated for that use by a local family.  The Selawik Center will open as soon as an organizational meeting for the artists takes place and additional tools are delivered to Selawik.  We have requests for art centers in Kiana, Kivalina, Noatak, Ambler and Deering.  Most of those villages have already identified buildings for that use.

Small Business Education.  Twenty-two borough residents attended classes on small business planning and operation that were sponsored or conducted by the Borough during the past fiscal year.  The Borough also provides ongoing business counseling instruction for residents on request.  Classes were held in Kotzebue and Noorvik during the past year.

Art Marketing Program.  Purchases from the Borough’s Revolving Art Marketing Account have now reached nearly one half million dollars in this, the third full year of the program’s existence.  Approximately 140 people have sold their work to the Borough, which in turn sells the work on behalf of the artists.  Marketing Program Manager Vika Owens is responsible for purchasing art from throughout the region, preparing immediate payment to the artists, and selling and shipping the artwork on behalf of the artists.  Both purchases and sales of art have been moving at a pace of about $4,000 per week this summer.