Kodiak's progress is a shared effort.
We bring partners and outside funding to Kodiak's hardest problems, then stay with the work until something changes.
Housing
More homes Kodiak families can afford
Careers and workforce
Local jobs and paths for young people
Local business
A stronger downtown and main street
Mariculture
A growing kelp and shellfish industry
Our story
Kodiak people, working for Kodiak's future
KEDC was incorporated in 2020 by Kodiak people who wanted a steady, local partner for the island's economy. Today we're an economic development organization focused on growth and stability for the roughly 12,400 people who call Kodiak home.
We convene partners and bring in outside funding and expertise, and we stay with the work until Kodiak sees results in housing, workforce, local business and mariculture.
What that looks like today
Our mission
KEDC leads collaborative efforts to strengthen and diversify Kodiak's economy through innovation, housing efforts, workforce development and sustainable practices that honor our island's culture, people and natural resources.
Innovation
New industries like mariculture, and new ways to solve old problems.
Housing
More and better homes, guided by the Kodiak Housing Action Plan.
Workforce
Paths from school and training into good Kodiak jobs.
Sustainability
Growth that honors the island's culture, people and natural resources.
How we work
How we get results for Kodiak
We convene and connect.
We bring the right people into the same room. We don't duplicate what others already do well.
In action85 employers, educators and partners at the 2026 Kodiak Workforce Forum.
We move ideas to action.
We choose work that can move a project from idea to plan to something Kodiak can see.
In actionWildSource's kelp processing site now has stamped plans and bid-ready documents.
We share our work.
Our results, who funded them and what still needs doing are public and kept current.
In actionSee every project and funder on Our Impact.
Our leadership
Board of Directors
(Kodiak's spaceport)
We have two open seats on our board.
Apply to join the boardEx-officio seats at our table
Four of Kodiak's key institutions sit at our table, so every project starts with local government, schools and the Coast Guard community in the room.
- City of KodiakLocal government and city services
- Kodiak Island BoroughIsland-wide planning and land use
- Kodiak Island Borough School DistrictSchools and student pathways
- U.S. Coast Guard Base KodiakThe nation's largest Coast Guard base, with two new icebreakers coming in 2028
Our staff
Meet our team
Melissa Schoenwether
Executive Director
Melissa Schoenwether is the Executive Director of Kodiak Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), where she leads work on housing, careers and workforce, and partnerships that support Kodiak's economy. She has spent many years educating and developing people, with a strong focus on young people and entrepreneurs, and she built and ran a successful customer acquisition and retention business. She also brings deep experience in project management and development.
For Melissa, this work is personal. She believes Kodiak's strength is its people, from town to the village communities, and she wants residents and young people to have meaningful opportunities to help shape Kodiak's future.
Work Local
You will meet our new interns in December!
Three Kodiak students are joining KEDC as our first paid interns. Their photos and stories will appear here.
Get involved
Homes you can afford.
Jobs that let you stay.
A Kodiak where our kids can build a life.
You don't need a title to help.
Join a partnership, share an idea, or ask how KEDC can help your business or family.