Economic Development Report
By Lee Stoops
Art Center Development
A contract for the renovation of the Old Tupiq Building into the Sulainich Art Center has been awarded by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The successful bidder was a contractor based out of Washington State who has been doing projects in Alaska for the last several years. The only other bid received came from KIC of Kotzebue, but that bid was for double the amount that was available for the project. Also, our Economic Development Department has agreed to construct a handicapped-access ramp to the front door, a necessary inclusion. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.
A new Laser stove was purchased at a discounted price from KIC Hardware for the Buckland Art Center and installed by Lorin Geary of Buckland. Lorin will provide oversight of activity at that facility.
A second new Laser 56 was purchased and sent to Kiana for installation. The Kiana Art Center should be open for public use before the first of the new year.
Work benches and tables have been built and installed in the art centers in Noorvik and Selawik. This work was all accomplished by the shop classes and teachers at the respective schools!
We continue to work regularly with the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association on development of our chum fishery. We have lent our support to a grant request for specialty marketing funds for the Arctic Keta brand name and also for added equipment and improvements to our facility. We have also arranged for 200 pounds of chum patties to be delivered to our school district for testing in the lunch program. Bering Sea continues to hold 220,000 pounds of our chum catch from last summer (about ˝ of the entire catch) on the speculation that the price will rise – which it already has by about 15 cents per pound. 160,000 pounds of the remaining fish may be sold as early as this week.
We have made over 12 grant disbursements in the last month, ranging from $1,500 to $50 in size. Small business grants are largely for tools, supplies, and equipment that allow individuals to generate income.
The Borough will sponsor “The Basics of Entrepreneurship and Evaluating Business Opportunities” education in Kotzebue on December 15-17. The training and counseling will be presented by Doug Johnsen of Alaska InvestNet and Professional
Growth Systems.
Sales have already begun to pick up steam as we head toward Christmas. The Borough Economic Development office is a regular visiting point for most out-of-town visitors and residents alike. Hours include Saturdays from 1-4 pm. Total sales are approaching $600,000.