Recent meetings also yield $2.25 million for Community Benefit Shares and $277,000 in infrastructure funding
NOME—Recognizing the tremendous need for support and treatment services related to substance abuse, the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Board of Directors voted to make an extraordinary $2 million donation toward Norton Sound Health Corporation’s (NSHC) Wellness and Training Center. The decision came at NSEDC’s third quarter meetings in Nome November 27 and 28, when the Board also approved an additional $2.5 million in grants and funding spread among all 15 of NSEDC’s member communities.
After healthy discussion stretching over two days, the NSEDC Board voted to award NSHC with $2 million for the construction of the planned Wellness and Training Center, expected to be completed in Nome by 2020. The two-story facility will house Health Aide Training, Emergency Medical Services, and Behavioral Health Services (BHS). In addition to clinical offices, BHS will oversee an outpatient substance abuse treatment center and detoxification services.
“The NSEDC Board supported this proposal for funding with the realization that this building will benefit every community in the region,” said NSEDC Board Chair Dan Harrelson. “Not only will it bring the region a desperately needed substance abuse treatment center, it will also house the corporation’s Health Aide Training Center. We all know that well-trained health aides in our communities are essential to the wellbeing of our residents. With support from each of our member communities, the NSEDC Board is proud to support the construction of this much-needed facility.”
Acutely aware of the need for the services that the Wellness and Training Center will provide, the NSEDC Board funded the NSHC request as an extraordinary measure that falls outside of its established funding programs.
NSEDC Board approves $277,000 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.
The grants, listed below, will assist the Native Village of Diomede in procuring burn boxes and composting toilets for the isolated community; renovate the Teller Traditional Council Building; and turn Savoonga’s old clinic into a lodge to house visitors to the St. Lawrence Island community.
| Project | Organization | Award Amount |
| Solid Waste Management | Native Village of Diomede | $156,520 |
| Teller IRA Building Renovation | Native Village of Teller | $39,970 |
| Savoonga Lodge and Snack Shop | Native Village of Savoonga | $80,525 |
2017 NSEDC Community Benefit Share set at $150,000 per community
The NSEDC Board of Directors voted in favor of a $150,000 Community Benefit Share (CBS) for each of NSEDC’s 15 member communities. Since 1999, the program has allocated nearly $26 million in total to member communities, with each community receiving more than $1.7 million over the years to use toward programs and/or priority purchases. As in the past, each municipality and its council will hold public meetings to discuss how the $150,000 CBS will be utilized, allowing for community input.
With the approval of the 2017 Community Benefit Share, the program will now have allocated a total of $28.2 million to the Norton Sound region over its history.
NSEDC Board reorganizes and swears in new Member Representatives
At its Annual Meeting of the Directors, the NSEDC Board elected its executive committee, re-electing Dan Harrelson as Chairman, Dean Peterson as the Vice Chairman, and Harvey Sookiayak as Sergeant-At-Arms. Pat Johanson and Frank Katchatag were elected as the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
The Board also welcomed three new Member Representatives and two Member Representatives who were re-elected this fall. Morris Nashoanak, Sr. from Stebbins, Frank Oxereok, Jr. from Wales, Douglas Swanson from Koyuk were sworn in as new members, while returning members Joel James from Gambell and Dean Peterson from Golovin were also administered the oath of office.
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