$1.3 million awarded toward Stebbins/St. Michael wind turbine; $804,558 for community projects
UNALAKLEET—At its spring meeting, the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Board of Directors approved more than $2.7 million in grants for regional and community projects. Nearly $1.9 million was awarded in total to two energy projects, including $1.38 million toward a Stebbins/St. Michael renewable wind energy project. The City of Golovin received $500,000 for a new powerplant that will be located out of the flood zone.
The NSEDC Board also approved more than $714,558 in funding for 13 projects in nine of its member communities. Another $90,000 was awarded to Kawerak for the 2019 Bering Strait Leadership Summit. Kawerak also received $20,000 for continued training for Head Start teachers under the Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant.
And continuing the commitment toward safety, the NSEDC Board approved the purchase of ice rescue sleds for each of its member communities, as well as Shishmaref. The rescue sleds will complement the underwater drone, or remotely operated vehicle, that was approved for purchase at NSEDC’s 2018 4th quarter meetings.
Three communities will receive energy improvements from two awarded projects
At the 2019 1st quarter board meeting, the Stebbins and St. Michael Renewable Energy Project received $1.3 million from NSEDC’s Community Energy Fund. Once the project is complete, the two communities will have a renewable energy source in the form of a wind turbine. The NSEDC Board approved $1.3 million toward the $5.9 million project administered by the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC).
The communities are served by an 11-mile intertie, eliminating the need for two separate power-generating systems. The 900-kilowatt wind turbine will connect to the existing diesel power generation facility in Stebbins. With $1 million in CEF funds available to each member community, Stebbins applied for $680,000 in funding and St. Michael applied for $700,000. During a wind resource study, the wind at the turbine location was classified as a Class 6, which is considered “outstanding.”
Along with funding for a turbine, the NSEDC Board also approved $500,000 for the City of Golovin’s new powerplant project. The current powerplant is in the flood zone. Storm surges have come dangerously close to the power plant, threatening the city’s generators and the community’s electricity. The funds will be used for site preparation of the new power plant.
The CEF program, established in 2009, made $1 million available to each of NSEDC’s 15 member communities to promote the development of safe and reliable energy infrastructure. The funding is available for projects that contribute to long-term solutions that decrease the high costs of energy. Eligible applicants are local utility providers, municipal governments, ANCSA Village Corporations or federally recognized tribal governments and must be located in one of NSEDC’s member communities.
NSEDC to purchase Ice Rescue Sleds for Search and Rescue Operation
Showing continued commitment toward safety in Norton Sound communities, the NSEDC Board of Directors voted to purchase ice rescue sleds for each of its member communities, as well as Shishmaref.
The ice rescue sled is a pontoon-based floating litter designed for search and rescue operations in open water and thin ice environments. It can be towed behind a snowmachine in winter or a boat in the summer, making it a versatile rescue tool. The pontoon creates a stable platform for rescuing victims and is designed to hold rescuers as they administer first aid to a victim.
“We have tremendously dedicated search and rescue personnel throughout the Norton Sound region,” NSEDC Board Chairman Dan Harrelson said. “The purchase of the ice rescue sleds simply provides proven technology our teams can utilize when needing to act quickly in a search and rescue operation.”
NSEDC Board approves $20,000 to Kawerak’s “Growing Teachers in Head Start” program
With Kawerak’s Head Start and Early Head Start program employing more than 40 teachers and teacher aides in the region, the NSEDC Board approved another $20,000 from the Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant at its 2019 1st quarter meetings. Kawerak partners with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Northwest Campus in Nome to offer Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses for staff to earn credentials and associate and bachelor’s degrees in ECE. The Growing Our Own Teachers grant provides travel support for regional staff members to participate in intensive ECE courses in Nome.
Head Start provides services for more than 230 children in 11 communities. Through the Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant, Kawerak has received $60,000, in total, for ECE staff education.
$804,558 in Outside Entity Funding approved for 14 community and regional projects
The Outside Entity Fund was established to contribute to regional programs, projects and activities benefitting member communities. A total of 90% of funds allocated to the OEF program is divided equally between each NSEDC member community. The remaining 10% is reserved for project proposals from regional non-profit entities. The approved 2019 community projects totaled $714,558.79 in nine communities and $90,000 for one regional project.
“The NSEDC Outside Entity Funding is a well-utilized mechanism for communities to see real needs met,” NSEDC Board Chair Dan Harrelson said. “Each one of our communities has seen great benefit from the funding source and we’re happy to see such meaningful projects taking place in the region this year.”
For more information on the 2019 NSEDC 1st Quarter Board of Directors Meeting, contact NSEDC Communications Director Laureli Ivanoff at (907) 624-3190 or laureli@nsedc.com.
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2019 Outside Entity Funding |
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Community Grants |
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| Organization | Project Title | Award |
| City of Elim | Landfill Expansion Project | $73,088 |
| Native Village of Elim | City of Elim/AVEC Power Plant ATV | $7,999 |
| Gambell Schools | Gambell School’s 2019-2021 Athletic Request | $60,900 |
| Koyuk Malimiut School | Koyuk Pool Hall Renovation/Teen Center | $9,650 |
| Native Village of Koyuk | Elder Meals Program | $55,377 |
| City of Savoonga | Cat D8T Purchase | $63,669 |
| City of Stebbins | Equipment Purchase | $125,000 |
| Tukurngailnguq School | Tukurngailnguq School Wrestling Program | $59,420 |
| Native Village of St. Michael | Landfill Project | $92,582 |
| Mary’s Igloo Traditional Council | Culture Camp & Environmental Monitoring Boat | $41,874 |
| Native Village of Teller | Celebrating Our Culture at Inupiaq Days | $5,000 |
| City of Unalakleet | Baler Purchase | $60,000 |
| Native Village of Wales | 2019 Kingikmiut Dance Festival | $60,000 |
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Regional Funded Grants |
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| Organization | Project Title | Award |
| Kawerak, Inc. | 2019 Bering Strait Leadership Summit | $90,000 |
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