Continued Support for Kodiak Storefront Improvement Program Awardees
“KEDC is thankful for the investment made by Kodiak Area Native Corporation and The City of Kodiak, which directly supports the SIP.”
The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) is more than financial aid for the exterior of businesses and buildings. It's a powerful tool for revitalizing and re-energizing the Kodiak Downtown area. KEDC continues to educate the public about the work businesses are doing and the opportunities available for all of Kodiak to strengthen our downtown. Promotion of the projects SIP grant awardees are doing is a beginning step.
SIP Awardee Dan Rohrer, who owns Subway of Kodiak and a building downtown, shared, “Lots of things have been looked at through the years to improve downtown, but this is really the first time where money has been directly associated with the improvements. KEDC’s Grant partnership could change downtown Kodiak's look and feel in just a few years. Economically motivating business owners and building owners to improve signage and access and their overall storefronts could significantly improve downtown in five years. As a building and business owner in downtown Kodiak who has reinvested significantly in my own business and building over the last few years, I can speak firsthand to increased business and decreased vacancies that come along with these improvements. I am excited to see what creative projects business owners and building owners have come up with and what KEDC will come alongside to accomplish this first year.”
KEDC is committed to supporting the SIP Awardees in their brick-and-mortar and virtual shops. Each of the five businesses is eligible for a free website audit. Melissa Schoenwether, program coordinator for the SIP, explains, “KEDC is providing a no-cost opportunity to SIP Awardees to have their website reviewed and assessed, often called a website audit, and a comprehensive report and action plan provided so they may have an objective understanding of how effective their website is. Just as their brick and mortar storefront is getting refreshed to attract customers, so will their virtual storefront.”
