May Economic Development Report

Prepared May 3, 2004

Fisheries Development
The Kotzebue Sound Fisheries Association in conjunction with Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association has hired Lenny Makue as the fish plant manager for this year.  He arrived in Kotzebue with his family on May 5, 2004 and will be overseeing improvements to the old NANA plant that will bring the facility to code for fish processing this month.  Equipment for the plant will be arriving over the next month as well for installation in the plant.  Mr. Makue will also be recruiting seasonal labor for operation of the plant.

A shipment of salmon patties was delivered to the Borough for use in a sample student lunch.  This product was produced by Indian Valley Meats from salmon that was taken in Kotzebue last season.  We will be interested in the response to these patties as we believe there is potential to produce such a product locally in the future.

The Borough has also ordered $26,000 worth of gillnet webbing, twine, cork line and lead line that will be sufficient to produce 30 three-shackle nets.  We have ordered ten of those nets to be pre-tied.  This purchase has been made with our Revolving Loan Fund and fishermen can access the supplies through use of small business loans or by direct purchase.

Small Business Grants 
We have provided a total of over 100 small business grants thus far this fiscal year, making the most of available funds.  Grants in the last month have included transportation to vocational training, tools and supplies.

High on the list of grants, because they or will serve so many residents, is the development of the Noorvik and Selawik Art Centers.  Both are scheduled to open this month.  They were developed by upgrading donated facilities with heating systems, rewiring, and other improvements.  Each should serve dozens of people in those villages, just as the Buckland facility, which opened in December has been serving so many in that village.

Small Business Loans 
Thus far we have processed 28 loans for regional business people this fiscal year.  Most recently, we have provided loans for small store startups in Kobuk and Kivalina and continuing operation of a store in Buckland.  Many loans have also funded materials and supplies for area artists.  Our loan total is expected to double over the next two months as fishermen prepare for the July salmon season.

Art Purchase/Marketing Program 
Sales have picked up dramatically this month with an increase of visitors, many of them the military reservists who spent the last couple of weeks in the region.  We have also been contacted by Barrow folks who are beginning to show interest in emulating our program and opening a store in their Cultural Heritage Center.  We know that would be a major outlet for sales of our local products.

Other Business 
Lee Stoops has been appointed to the State Rural Development Council and the Youth Advisory Council to the State Workforce Development Board.

We are applying for a grant from the IDA (Individual Development Account) program which will allow us to establish incentive savings accounts for at least five local residents.

Vika Owens, Art Program Manager, will be on leave during the month of June.   

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

(c) 2001 Northwest Arctic Borough All rights reserved