KEDC Showcases Robust Economic Development Efforts at Kodiak City Council Work Session

On February 25, 2025, Melissa Schoenwether, Executive Director of the Kodiak Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), delivered a compelling presentation at the Kodiak City Council Work Session, highlighting the organization’s impactful initiatives and its unwavering commitment to strengthening Kodiak’s economy. Representing a nonprofit dedicated to fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and enhancing workforce development, Schoenwether outlined KEDC’s recent achievements and ambitious plans for the future. The presentation underscored KEDC’s proactive approach to addressing Kodiak’s most pressing challenges—workforce development, housing, mariculture, and downtown revitalization—while emphasizing the critical role of continued partnership with the City of Kodiak.

Building a Skilled Workforce for Kodiak’s Future

One of KEDC’s flagship efforts, the annual Career Expo & Job Fair, exemplifies its dedication to preparing Kodiak’s youth for meaningful careers while meeting the needs of local employers. Held in partnership with the Kodiak Island Borough School District, the event in April 2024 connected students from Kodiak High School and rural communities with over 24 industry leaders across sectors like healthcare, maritime, construction, and public safety. The three-day program featured guest speakers, mock interviews, resume workshops, and on-site visits to prominent local employers such as the USCG Cutter Cypress, Providence Medical Center, Highmark Marine, Brechan Construction, Kodiak Veterinary Clinic, KIBSD Early Education and HR, and KANA. Responding to student and business leader feedback calling for deeper career engagement, KEDC is set to expand this initiative with the launch of a revised Career Exploration Club and Community Events in fall 2025. This bold step forward demonstrates KEDC’s responsiveness to community needs and its commitment to ensuring Kodiak businesses can recruit and retain local talent effectively.

Tackling the Housing Crisis with Strategic Solutions

Housing remains a significant barrier to economic growth in Kodiak, with businesses struggling to attract and retain employees due to limited affordable options. KEDC has taken decisive action by spearheading the development of a Housing Action Plan (HAP), funded by the Denali Commission. Valued at over $100,000 through the grant award and KEDC’s matching contribution, this investment reflects the scale of KEDC’s commitment to solving this crisis. Throughout 2024, the Housing Steering Committee provided expert guidance, pausing in October to restructure for greater effectiveness, with plans to reconvene in spring 2025. In collaboration with the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Economic Development (CED), KEDC is crafting a comprehensive HAP to deliver actionable solutions. Scheduled for presentation at an Economic Forum in fall 2025, this plan will pave the way for tangible progress. Further amplifying this effort, KEDC has secured at least three years of technical assistance from the Rural Capacity Development Initiative (RCDI), enabling innovative public-private partnerships to accelerate workforce housing development. These robust resources highlight KEDC’s strategic foresight and its indispensable role as a catalyst for addressing one of Kodiak’s most urgent challenges.

Pioneering Mariculture and Blue Economy as an Economic Driver

Recognizing Kodiak’s rich seafood heritage, KEDC is championing a blue economy, mariculture, kelp and oyster farming, as a transformative opportunity to diversify and strengthen the local economy. Partnering again with CED, KEDC is conducting a market analysis, feasibility study, and business plan for a multi-use processing facility. This initiative aims to create a sustainable business model tailored to Kodiak’s unique needs. With an architect selection process underway to ensure the facility meets Kodiak’s remote infrastructure demands, and additional support from an RBDG grant for a comprehensive mariculture business plan, KEDC is dedicated to support positioning Kodiak as a leader in this emerging industry. This forward-thinking approach underscores KEDC’s ability to leverage local strengths for long-term economic resilience.

Revitalizing Downtown with the Storefront Improvement Program

The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP), a collaboration between KEDC, the City of Kodiak, and KANA, showcases the power of strategic partnerships in driving economic vitality. The City of Kodiak’s $15,000 investment, matched by KANA, has proven a remarkable catalyst, leveraging each City dollar into approximately $5.45 in private investment from participating businesses—a total of $66,729 to date, with more expected as two remaining projects conclude. The program’s matching grants have spurred storefront upgrades that boost foot traffic and enhance the customer experience, with business owners and customers alike praising the results. One owner noted that the program provided the incentive and support needed to improve their exterior, while a customer credited the revitalized storefronts with drawing them back to a local business, saying: “It was a bright spot on a dismal, dreary day...literally! The bright, cheerful color of Cactus Flats pulled me in. I heard that the reason they did the facelift was because of your Storefront Improvement Program. This is an excellent idea, and I, for one, am excited to see more businesses all over Kodiak get help to brighten up their storefronts.” KEDC’s technical assistance, including business coaching, website audits, and digital training, ensures these investments yield sustained growth. With over 30 businesses expressing interest in future rounds, SIP illustrates KEDC’s capacity to maximize public funds for community-wide benefit, benefits that hinge on continued City support.

Engaging the Community with ROCE Workshops

KEDC’s commitment to community-driven development shines through in its Recharge Our Community’s Economy (ROCE) Workshop Series, launching in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC). This four-part series, beginning March 13, 2025, at KANA Marketplace, will unite businesses, local leaders, Coast Guard families, and residents to address workforce shortages, housing constraints, and economic diversification. RCAC has valued its investment in KEDC and the Kodiak community under the USDA-Rural Community Development Initiative (USDA-RCDI) Grant at more than $192,000, covering workshops, technical assistance, travel, and materials. As Karli Salisbury, RCAC’s Assistant Field Manager, noted, “We appreciate your ongoing partnership,” reflecting the collaborative spirit driving this initiative. Building on successful models from other rural communities, ROCE promises to foster local leadership and actionable outcomes, with KEDC and RCAC providing long-term support post-workshops. The involvement of Mayor Pat Branson on the Outreach Committee and an invitation for City and Borough representatives to participate signal KEDC’s dedication to aligning its efforts with municipal goals, a partnership essential to maximizing the initiative’s $192,000 investment.

Strengthening Leadership and Representation

To ensure its work reflects Kodiak’s diverse needs, KEDC is expanding its Board of Directors to eleven members, opening applications to business owners, industry leaders, and passionate residents. This move reinforces KEDC’s role as a representative and responsive organization, poised to drive meaningful progress with broad community input. By fostering strong leadership, KEDC enhances its capacity to deliver on its mission—a mission that benefits all of Kodiak.

A Call for Continued Partnership

In her closing remarks, Schoenwether expressed gratitude for the City of Kodiak’s ongoing support, emphasizing that KEDC’s successes, from workforce training to housing solutions, rely on this collaboration. “Kodiak’s economic future depends on bold, collaborative action,” she stated, urging the City to sustain its investment in KEDC’s initiatives. From preparing students for high-demand careers to revitalizing downtown Kodiak, KEDC’s efforts lay the groundwork for increased tax revenue, job growth, and a more attractive community for residents and visitors alike, outcomes that amplify the City’s investment over time.

Specifically, KEDC has secured continued support through targeted investments, such as funding for the $192,000 ROCE workshops and policy alignment to expedite the $100,000+ Housing Action Plan, ensuring Kodiak reaps the full benefits of these transformative efforts. KEDC’s data-driven, sustainable, and community-focused approach delivers undeniable value, creating long-term solutions that enhance quality of life and economic stability.

As Kodiak faces complex challenges and exciting opportunities, KEDC stands out as a vital partner, delivering results that resonate across the community. The February 25 presentation reaffirmed KEDC’s leadership in economic development and the critical need for the City’s continued support to ensure Kodiak thrives for generations to come. For more information or to get involved, contact us.