$3.59 million approved for four improvement projects from the NSEDC Water & Sewer Fund
UNALAKLEET—The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Board of Directors voted to distribute more than $3.94 million, in total, to Norton Sound member communities at their 2021 1st Quarter Meeting held last week. A total of $3.59 million was awarded from the Water and Sewer Fund for water and sewer improvement projects in four member communities; $229,571 was awarded from the Large Infrastructure Fund for the new Diomede Native Store; $96,455 from the Community Energy Fund for a power meters installation project in Little Diomede; and $20,000 to Kawerak, Inc. from the Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant for Growing Teachers in Head Start.
NSEDC Board approves $3.59 million in Water & Sewer Fund projects
The NSEDC Water & Sewer Fund aims to address critical water and sewer needs in Norton Sound communities. Four NSEDC member communities do not have piped water and sewer infrastructure, relying on honey buckets and a central location for potable water. Eleven communities have infrastructure in place but face costly repair and maintenance projects to expand or keep their systems operational.
More than $3.59 million in approved funding will support water and sewer upgrades in Little Diomede, well upgrades in Koyuk, residential water service improvements in Unalakleet, and water treatment upgrades and lift station rehabilitation in Gambell.
“NSEDC remains committed to the health of our residents and communities,” NSEDC Board Chair Frank Katchatag said. “NSEDC works to ensure financial stability for the continued support of the health and safety of our families and neighbors. Safe water and waste management remains a priority for many in our communities, and NSEDC remains committed to support the ever-changing needs in our region.”
The Water & Sewer Fund is a five-year program that will sunset in 2024, and approved Water & Sewer Fund projects have two years to utilize grant funds. Application deadlines are posted at nsedc.com, and the NSEDC Board may review applications at any quarterly meeting. Since the inception of the program, NSEDC has awarded more than $8.34 million, in total, to 11 communities from the Water & Sewer Fund.
Native Village of Diomede secures funding for critical community projects
The NSEDC Board of Directors approved more than $1.27 million in funding for three critical projects for the health and safety of the community of Little Diomede. Through the Water and Sewer Fund, $949,521 was approved for water and sewer upgrades, $229,571 was approved from the Large Infrastructure Fund for continued construction for the new Diomede Native Store, and $96,455 was approved from the Community Energy Fund for a power meters installation project.
“NSEDC grant funding has been critical for the community of Little Diomede,” NSEDC Board Member Frances Ozenna said. “We are very grateful for the facilitation of the grant programs and the continued commitment to the wellbeing of our communities.”
NSEDC facilitates nine grant programs through the Community Benefits Department that are designed to improve and strengthen member communities.
NSEDC Board approves $20,000 for Kawerak, Inc. Head Start Growing Our Own Teachers program
The NSEDC Board of Directors approved $20,000 for Kawerak, Inc. Head Start to hire a substitute teacher so that one staff member can participate in a sabbatical for one UAF semester to obtain their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, Early Childhood Education (ECE) AA Degree, or ECE BA degree with a teaching certificate. Kawerak’s Head Start and Early Head Start employs more than 40 teacher aides, who provide services to more than 230 children in 11 communities in the region. This is the fourth grant awarded to Kawerak, Inc. to support the Head Start Growing Our Own Teachers program.
NSEDC’s Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant makes up to $40,000 available annually for eligible nonprofit organizations and schools in the region that have projects related to increasing the number of home-grown teachers. Individual awards under this program are capped at $20,000.
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NSEDC 2021 1st Quarter Meeting Awards |
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|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award |
|
LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND |
||
| Native Village of Diomede | Diomede Native Store |
$229,571 |
|
COMMUNITY ENERGY FUND |
||
| Native Village of Diomede | Diomede Power Meters Installation |
$96,455 |
|
WATER AND SEWER FUND |
||
| Native Village of Diomede | Water and Sewer Upgrades |
$949,521 |
| City of Koyuk | Well Upgrades |
$650,000 |
| City of Unalakleet | Residential Water Service Improvements |
$999,995 |
| City of Gambell | Water Treatment Upgrades & Lift Station Rehab |
$999,103 |
|
GROWING OUR OWN TEACHERS DISCRETIONARY GRANT |
||
| Kawerak, Inc. Head Start | Growing Our Own Teachers in Head Start |
$20,000 |
| NSEDC 2021 1st Quarter Meetings Awards TOTAL |
$3,944,645 |
|
For more information on infrastructure grants awarded at the 2021 NSEDC 1st Quarter Board of Directors Meeting, contact NSEDC Community Benefits Director Paul Ivanoff III at pivanoff@nsedc.com. Questions regarding educational grants can be directed to Education, Employment & Training Director Niaomi Brunette at niaomi@nsedc.com.
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