Recent meetings also yield $810,000 in infrastructure funding and $40,000 toward Growing Our Own Teachers
UNALAKLEET—The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Board of Directors furthered NSEDC’s mission of investing in the Norton Sound region as they gathered in Unalakleet for their 2018 Third Quarter meetings.
2018 NSEDC Community Benefit Share set at $167,000 per community
The NSEDC Board of Directors voted in favor of a $167,000 Community Benefit Share (CBS) for each of NSEDC’s 15 member communities. Since 1999, the program has allocated more than $32.7 million in total to member communities, with each community receiving more than $2 million over the years to use toward programs and/or priority purchases and activities. As in the past, each municipality and its council will hold public meetings to discuss how the $167,000 CBS will be utilized, allowing for community input.
Traditionally, NSEDC issues an annual Community Benefit Share at its quarterly meeting held in November. For the past six years, the share has been issued at $150,000 per community. In May, NSEDC’s wholly owned subsidiary, Siu Alaska Corporation, issued a $2 million dividend to NSEDC, which the board distributed evenly between its member communities, allowing for a mid-year share. The board’s decision to distribute another $167,000 to each community brings the total distributed in 2018 to $300,333.
“Each of our city governments has differing needs and priorities,” NSEDC Board Chairman Dan Harrelson said. “With dwindling resources, there is financial need in many of our Norton Sound communities. The end-of-the-year Community Benefit Share is a greatly needed boost to our communities. Thanks to a well-managed corporation, NSEDC is capable of providing important and timely benefits like the CBS.”
NSEDC Board approves $810,000 in Large Infrastructure projects
The Board approved three grants under NSEDC’s Large Infrastructure program. Under the program, a total of $1 million is available to each member community with individual project awards capped at $300,000. Organizations that receive funding have two years to utilize their award toward infrastructure projects that benefit the entire community.
The grants (listed below) will assist the City of Nome’s repair of the concrete launch ramp within the inner harbor of the City’s Port and Harbor, that serves as the primary launch and haul-out facility for Nome’s homeported fleet; continue the City of Teller’s washeteria renovation project, including installation of new windows, a new septic system, and the construction of three new bathrooms; and assist the King Island Native Community’s efforts to expand their meeting space providing a place to preserve and revitalize Inupiaq culture and teach traditional knowledge to youth.
| Project | Organization | Award Amount |
| Inner Harbor Concrete Launch Ramp Repair | City of Nome | $300,000 |
| Washeteria Renovation Phase II | City of Teller | $299,875 |
| King Island Building Expansion | King Island Native Community | $210,000 |
Two regional projects awarded funding for programs aimed at Growing Our Own Teachers
Under the Growing Our Own Teachers discretionary grant program, the NSEDC Board awarded $20,000 each to two programs aimed toward increasing the number of home-grown educators in the region.
The Bering Strait School District (BSSD), in conjunction with the UAF-Northwest Campus, will offer courses for up to 15 residents to earn a nine-credit Substitute Teacher Campus Credential. The program will allow residents to gain new teaching skills and techniques to better serve students in BSSD schools. The credential is a potential steppingstone for those interested in earning a degree and becoming certified teachers.
Kawerak, also in partnership with UAF-Northwest Campus, was awarded $20,000 toward a one-week intensive Early Childhood Education (ECE) course that satisfies a core requirement needed for Head Start staff to earn a degree in ECE. Kawerak Head Start and Early Head Start employs more than 40 teachers and teacher aides who provide services to more than 230 children in 11 communities in the region.
The Growing Our Own Teachers discretionary grant program makes up to $40,000 available annually for eligible nonprofit organizations and schools that have projects related to increasing the number of home-grown teachers.
NSEDC Board reorganizes and swears in new and returning Member Representatives
At the Annual Meeting of the Directors, the NSEDC Board elected its executive committee, re-electing Dan Harrelson as Chairman and Harvey Sookiayak as Sergeant-At-Arms. Oscar Takak was elected Vice Chairman, and Dean Peterson and Frank Katchatag will again serve on the NSEDC Executive Committee.
The Board also welcomed one new Member Representative and four Member Representatives who served previous terms. Newly elected Nome representative Adem Boeckmann from Nome and returning members Oscar Takak of Elim, Truman Kava of Savoonga, Milton Cheemuk from St. Michael and Joe Garnie from Teller were sworn in at the meeting.
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