Kodiak’s Economic Future: Inside the First ROCE Workshop
Kodiak Economic Development: Inside the First ROCE Workshop
On March 13, 2025, Kodiak economic development took a leap forward as dozens of residents gathered at the KANA Marketplace Conference Room for the inaugural Recharge Our Community’s Economy (ROCE) workshop, hosted by the Kodiak Economic Development Corporation (KEDC). After 16 months of collaboration with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), this six-hour event, supported by the diligent KANA staff who ensured seamless setup and A/V, launched a four-part series to reshape Kodiak’s economic future. From heartfelt concerns about housing and childcare to a business owner’s open desire to grow their business sustainably, the day offered a rare “Town Hall” platform, sparking a shift from scarcity to abundance through community-driven solutions.
Kodiak Economic Roadmap: The Day Unfolded
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., facilitators Amy Williams and Francesca Parent of RCAC, alongside KEDC’s Melissa Schoenwether, guided participants through a packed agenda. It began with introductions, attendees sharing why they showed up, from tackling housing shortages to strengthening local businesses. Their answers, scrawled on flipcharts, set an optimistic tone: this was Kodiak’s chance to take ownership.
The heart of the morning was the Economic Timeline Activity. For 75 minutes, participants mapped a century of Kodiak’s economic highs and lows, decade by decade, sticky notes piling up with events that shaped the island. Conversations about past events sprang up organically throughout the morning, voices overlapping as trends like boom-and-bust cycles, resilient industries, and a vision for the future took shape. After a midday break, the group dove into the WealthWorks model, watching a video on its eight forms of wealth (individual, social, natural, and more) before breaking into tables for the Spider Exercise. Each group ranked Kodiak’s assets, sparking lively report-outs on untapped potential.
By afternoon, the focus shifted to SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). In just 20 minutes, tables filled with ideas, housing as a weakness, tourism as an opportunity, followed by a ranking that crystallized priorities. The day closed with a “Gallery Walk,” connecting the timeline, SWOT, and assets to Kodiak’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), plus a peek at Lewistown, Montana’s ROCE success via an RCAC video.
Kodiak’s Voices: A Chorus of Commitment
The room buzzed with diverse perspectives, captured in these reflections:
Annika Woods said: “Participating in day one of ROCE was soul healing, recharging, and motivating. I didn’t realize how much I needed that until the end of the day rolled around. It truly didn’t feel like six hours had gone by. Taking stock of Kodiak’s assets, and challenging the definition I had of assets, was a beneficial activity to me. The brainstorming sessions from such a variety of community members was so powerful, and reminded me why I live in Kodiak. I see the town I was born and raised in with new eyes. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate, thankful to KEDC and RCAC for putting this on, and I encourage anyone that is invested in Kodiak’s future to participate in ROCE; either through the full day sessions, or the evening recaps. This is a great opportunity for the younger generations especially to get involved in a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment.”
Karl Hertz, KEDC President: “The ROCE workshop was inspiring to be part of. It demonstrated Kodiak’s potential and highlighted how many great people we have, who want to better our economy.”
Judy Hamilton, Owner of Bounty Farm and Co-Owner of Rooted: “I really enjoyed the timeline exercise. I learned a lot about Kodiak’s history and economy from multiple perspectives, and that really helped me frame the overall goals of the workshop series. I gained a great deal from hearing the stories and positions/opinions of the other participants, and conversed with people who I have crossed paths with occasionally but rarely engage with—folks with similar interests as myself that I didn’t know until the workshop. It was a big shot of solidarity with a great cross section of the community I love. I was so glad I went, and look forward to the next! Thank you again for putting it on and for playing such a strong, necessary role in supporting the health of our community!”
Amy Williams, RCAC Facilitator (Sacramento, CA): “The conversation and generation of ideas at the workshop was very productive. It is exciting to see community members’ visions of what Kodiak can be. The next workshop will build on the first, and RCAC will support community members as they determine what they want to work on.”
Francesca Parent, RCAC Facilitator (Long Beach, CA): “Loved seeing the conversation across the community. Can’t wait to be back in Kodiak! Excited to see what energy and collaboration we can leverage to support amazing opportunities in Kodiak.”
Melissa Schoenwether, KEDC Executive Director: “This event was 16 months in the making with RCAC, empowering our community to take ownership of our future. We’re shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance by linking Kodiak’s assets to new economic possibilities.”
The Timeline Revelation: History Meets Hope
The 100-year timeline wasn’t just an exercise, it was a revelation that connected Kodiak’s past to its potential. [Stay tuned for a deeper dive in a future update!] Older residents recounted forgotten chapters, while younger voices linked them to today’s challenges like housing, a bridge between generations that fueled the day’s optimism.
Community in Action: Kodiak Steps Up
From the Kodiak History Museum to the fishing industry, Island Trails Network to Providence Hospital, the room reflected Kodiak’s diversity, drawing more than 53 attendees across the day and evening sessions, opening new Kodiak business opportunities. A business owner vulnerably shared their open desire to grow their business sustainably, met with nods of support. KEDC’s Executive Director connected with School Board President Kerry Irons for the first time, sharing highlights from KEDC’s Career Exploration efforts and laying groundwork for ongoing collaboration to support Kodiak’s youth. Discussions turned poignant: shipping costs frustrate businesses and homeowners alike, yet the group agreed, our island’s remoteness makes us stronger, a community of problem-solvers ready to thrive. Beyond economics, this was about strengthening our sense of place, a spirit of collaboration that sets the stage for more.
What’s Next: Building on the Spark
Three KEDC workshops remain in April and May, each building on March’s momentum. The hope? That attendees spread the word, each bringing a new face to the next session, growing this effort organically. Responding to requests from those unable to attend the daytime event, KEDC hosted an Open House Recap from 5 to 7 p.m., with sessions at 5 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m., ensuring broader access to the conversation. As City Councilwoman Annika Woods noted, these evening recaps are a perfect entry point, especially for younger generations. A 16-foot roll of vision-casting paper, splashed with colorful ideas, now hints at what’s possible: housing solutions, workforce growth, and more. KEDC and RCAC will soon share notes with attendees and the public, alongside registration for the next workshop at kodiakedc.com. Want to fuel these vital discussions? See how your business can partner with KEDC below! The series will keep identifying value chains and stakeholder support, all to help Kodiak’s community, businesses, and organizations flourish.
Sponsor Kodiak Events: Partner with KEDC
The ROCE series is igniting Kodiak’s economic and community potential, but KEDC can’t do it alone. Local businesses have a unique chance to sponsor Kodiak events like these instrumental workshops, ensuring they thrive while gaining visibility among Kodiak’s problem-solvers. Options include sponsoring an entire event, with recognition throughout the day and a few minutes to share about your business or organization, or providing lunch, like Subway’s generous discount at our kickoff, earning a special acknowledgment. Every contribution fuels discussions on housing, workforce, and more, strengthening our island’s future. Ready to invest in Kodiak and spotlight your role in it? Email melissa@kodiakedc.com to explore sponsorship opportunities and join us in this vital work.
Join Us: Kodiak’s Future Starts Here
The first ROCE workshop proved Kodiak’s ready, not just to talk, but to act. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the island, your voice matters. Visit kodiakedc.com for updates, or email melissa@kodiakedc.com to get involved. Together, we’re igniting a future where abundance defines our community.
