From assisting communities in gaining critical emergency response infrastructure to helping regional school children explore the wider world, the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Board of Directors approved $1.2 million in funding for 24 community and regional projects at the NSEDC 1st Quarter Board of Directors meetings in Nome on May 4.
Outside Entity Funding (OEF) Program Continues to Tailor NSEDC Funding to Community Needs
At the May 4 meeting, the NSEDC Board awarded more than $800,000 in OEF program grants. The 2017 grant awards cover a wide array of projects, supporting everything from community infrastructure to cultural and educational initiatives.
Since 2003, NSEDC has annually set aside funding through the OEF program to contribute to regional programs, projects and activities benefiting member communities. A total of 90 percent of funds allocated to the OEF program is divided equally between each of NSEDC’s 15 member communities. Applications for community funding are reviewed by a local committee which passes on its funding recommendations to the NSEDC Board for final approval. The Board approved $634,259 for community projects in 9 communities for 2017. If a community does not utilize its allocated funds for a given year, the available funds roll over into future program years.
The remaining 10 percent of the OEF program allocation is reserved for project proposals from regional nonprofit entities. Based on the strength of the proposals submitted this year, the NSEDC Board of Directors elected to increase the available amount of funding this year and approved a total of $180,000 to be divided among three regional projects. A list detailing the awards is included at the end of this release.
“NSEDC’s Outside Entity Funding program has become a vital source of support for so many different programs and projects in our region,” said NSEDC Board Chairman Dan Harrelson. “We are fortunate to be able to assist with so many different entities and people who are working to improve the economies, infrastructure and quality of life for our residents and communities.”
Community Energy Fund (CEF) Grants Target Vital Infrastructure in Teller and Diomede
In addition to the OEF grants, the NSEDC Board approved an additional $345,000 in CEF grants for the City of Teller and the Native Village of Diomede. Though the CEF program, each NSEDC member community is allocated $1 million to apply toward energy efficiency projects that lower energy costs for all its residents.
The Native Village of Diomede funding ($155,460) will supplement a previous CEF grant and be applied toward the replacement of generators for the island community. The project is vital to the safety and security of the community, which had no backup power supply and can only be reached by helicopter.
The City of Teller funding ($190,000) will augment an existing ($810,000) CEF grant for the renovation of the community’s washeteria. The additional funding will allow the City of Teller to insulate its water tank. Currently the tank is only partly insulated, resulting in significant energy costs to heat the water.
Additional Funding Targets the Wellbeing of Norton Sound Residents
Seeing the opportunity to support the region’s residents in times of need, the NSEDC Board approved additional funding toward two different initiatives. NSEDC will provide a grant of $20,000 toward Norton Sound Health Corporation’s (NSHC) “Make a Patient Smile” Fund, which provides financial assistance to residents for expenses that fall outside NSHC’s customary coverages for patients in need.
The NSEDC Board also approved funding to provide the region’s schools with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) where needed. Chairman Dan Harrelson noted that the schools in member communities are a gathering place for the community as a whole, and that having the life-saving equipment on-hand and available could make all the difference for someone.
| Summary of NSEDC Funding Awarded at 2017 1st Quarter Meeting | ||||
| Community Energy Fund (CEF) Grants | ||||
| Community | Applicant | Project Title | Award | |
| Teller | City of Teller | Washeteria Renovation/Water Tank Insulation | $190,000 | |
| Diomede | Native Village of Diomede | Power Plant Renovation | $155,460 | |
| Total CEF Project Funding | $345,460 | |||
| 2017 Outside Entity Funding Community Grants | ||||
| Community | Applicant | Project Title | Award | |
| Brevig Mission | Brevig Mission School | Healthy Hearts, Hands and Habits | $46,692 | |
| Brevig Mission | Native Village of Brevig Mission | Teen Center Grant | $17,819 | |
| Diomede | Native Village of Diomede | Portable Waste Disposal Unit | $60,000 | |
| Elim | City of Elim | Community Sanitation Project | $8,830 | |
| Elim | City of Elim | Backhoe Purchase | $67,458 | |
| Elim | Native Village of Elim | Trails Project | $92,336 | |
| Elim | Native Village of Elim | Quarry Project | $15,189 | |
| Gambell | Gambell Presbyterian Church | Church and Community Center Project | $99,000 | |
| Gambell | Gambell Schools | High School Sports | $16,500 | |
| Nome | Nome Community Center | Van Replacement | $31,284 | |
| Nome | Nome North Star Swim Team | 2017-2018 Swim Season | $10,000 | |
| Savoonga | Native Village of Savoonga | Elder’s Nutrition Program | $36,000 | |
| Shaktoolik | Paul F. Asicksik School | Nauruq Educational/Cultural Exchange Trip | $16,001 | |
| Unalakleet | Native Village of Unalakleet | Energy Efficiency Improvements | $25,750 | |
| Unalakleet | City of Unalakleet | Unalakleet Solid Waste Facility Renovation | $25,400 | |
| Unalakleet | Unalakleet Schools | Unalakleet School Basketball Travel | $6,000 | |
| Wales | Native Village of Wales | Kingikmiut Dance Festival | $60,000 | |
| Total OEF Community Project Funding | $634,259 | |||
| 2017 OEF Regional Grants | ||||
| Norton Sound Health Corp. | Bering Strait Health Consortium Nursing Degree Program | $100,000 | ||
| KNOM Radio Mission | KNOM AM Transmitter Replacement Project | $60,000 | ||
| Covenant Youth of Alaska | Covenant Bible Camp Warm Cabins Initiative | $20,000 | ||
| Total OEF Regional Project Funding | $180,000 | |||
| Other Funding Awarded | ||||
| Norton Sound Health Corp. | Make a Patient Smile Campaign | $20,000 | ||
| Regional Schools | Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) | $28,332 | ||
| Total Other Funding Awarded | $48,332 | |||
| Total NSEDC Funding Awarded at 2017 1st Quarter Meeting | $1,208,051 | |||
