Small Business Grants and Loans

We saw an upsurge in interest and applications for these programs in the past month. Seven grant applications were received and processed, as well as an equal number of loans. These included startups for several small stores in the villages, purchase of additional inventory for an existing small store in Kobuk, an oil-fired furnace repair business in Ambler, business related education, and others. Craftspeople continue to take advantage of the loan program as well. We also used the program to finance a small contract with Seth Kanter that may enable the Spud Farm’s rehabilitation program to include some small scale agriculture this season. He is in the process of accessing the condition of equipment and infrastructure at the farm and the availability of other equipment. He is also preparing a list of supplies that would be needed to plant for the coming growing season and a basic operational plan. We will present this plan to Maniilaq Association’s Rehab Program for review and consideration. The Borough may provide up to $2,000 in additional grant funds for seeds, fertilizer, etc. It should be noted that this effort is a product of the interest of Assemblyman John Schaeffer.

Matching Grant Program

The Borough has taken the following actions in supplying match for the Bering Sea Fisherman’s Association grant to further improve the fish plant. 1) Directly hired Carl Ochoa of Carl’s Refridgeration to rebuild the second of the two five ton ice machines on site. That work will be accomplished in June. 2) Hired a Kodiak company to spray foam/insulate the 18’x18’ ice storage area. BSFA is in the final stages of arranging a line of financing for this year’s operation. As of this date, we have not received notice that a state grant to make additional repairs and improvement has been approved, but our lobbyist has assured us that funds are forthcoming. Borough financed improvements on behalf of our area fishermen will total about $24,000 for this year. We are also working with KEA to assure repairs to their ice machine to ensure that we have ample ice.

Art Center Development

The Noorvik Art Center has been opened and is under the supervision of Roy Barr and Glenn Coffin. The Selawik Center is operating under the supervision of Wallace Gray. We are awaiting designation of a supervisor for the Kiana facility. Buckland’s work place is directed by Lorin Geary. Our Kotzebue Art Center project will begin on July 15 and that contract will be completed by August 15.

Art Marketing

We continue to purchase and sell artwork on a daily basis. Given the closure of Arctic Tours, we will be doing more intensive publicizing of our art to ensure that all visitors to Kotzebue have the opportunity to spend some money while here. Sales continue to be good in Barrow, where they are selling our products on consignment at their Cultural Heritage Center.