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100 East Marine Way, Suite 300
Kodiak, AK 99615
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President's Message
Chamber Members,
As your president and a member of the commercial fishing sector, I ask that everyone remain vigilant to keep Kodiak’s Covid-19 case count down. For those that don’t live and breathe fishing, three of the largest seafood processing plants in Alaska (Trident Seafoods in Akutan, Alyeska Seafoods, and Unisea in Unalaska) have shut down due to Covid-19 outbreaks. While these plants met or exceeded all state and CDC guidelines to prevent viral infection, outbreaks happened anyway. The shuttering of these plants has delayed fishing or left some fishing vessels in a position to fish with no current up and running processing partner. The Bering Sea fishing industry is frantically scrambling to sort out the mess they face at the start of the fishing season. We want to prevent this outcome for Kodiak’s waterfront so please continue to wash your hands, mask up, and social distance. We will return to normal someday but in the meantime, we all need to continue to be cautious.
Kudos to Kodiak and Kodiakans for getting the case count back down after the spike in December. Vaccines are in here and Alaska is doing a fantastic job getting people vaccinated. And in-person school has returned. Hallelujah! It’s a relief to see the community opening back up
Congratulations to Ellen Carty who won the 2021 Kodiak Chamber of Commerce Relocation Guide Photo Contest! Other Relocation Guide photo winners are Denise Link and Mallory Sekerak. Their awesome Kodiak photos will be featured in the 2021 Kodiak Relocation Guide alongside many other outstanding images captured by our talented photography community. Thanks to all who submitted images, you made it a tough contest! Digital guides are expected to be available by mid-February and print guides in March!
We welcome quite a few new Chamber members this month: Alaska USA Mortgage Co, Bella Bronze Body Spa, Crossfit Kodiak Island, Erica Bondy Fitness, Honey Salon, Inc, Kodiak Karate, Three Sisters Coffee Co., and Three Sisters Trading Co. I know the Chamber Team is anxious to assist each business with promotion, education, and support. If you have questions about your Chamber Membership benefits or are interested in joining reach out to them at (907) 486-5557. I’m sure you’ll be surprised by how many benefits you get for such a low cost!
In the time of COVID, it’s great to be welcoming another business to our community. Please join us (safely) for the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Million Recipes on Feb 1st from 11 am until 12 noon at the Brewery. Another food truck, yahoo!
Happy Valentine’s Day – shop local for your sweetheart.
Julie Bonney
President
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How to Get the New Small Business Relief |
In discussions with the US Chamber, the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce has reason to believe that many previous issues with PPP and EIDL programs have been corrected. Over the course of the year amendments allow for the following to receive PPP and in some cases EIDL:
- Small Businesses (Less than 300 employees)
- Sole Proprietors and 1099 Employees
- Commercial Fishing Vessels and Fishermen
- 501 C-6 Organizations
*Businesses can now have full funding from both EIDL and PPP
Additional programs have been established to aid:
- Hospitality Industry - Additional PPP funding above Small Business
- Live Event Organizations (i.e.- Museums, Convention Centers, Theaters) - Special Grants above PPP offerings (May not have both PPP and Live Event Grant)
- Employee Retention Tax Credit - Organizations may now take advantage of Credit and PPP and EIDL
*SEE BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS, QUALIFICATION INFORMATION, AND APPLICATION OPENINGS. GUIDE LINK UPDATED DAILY.
NEW: Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans
As we shared yesterday, the U.S. Chamber has created a new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans to provide you and your members with the latest information and answers to FAQs about the changes that have been made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program as part of the end-of-year pandemic relief package Congress has passed.
Click here to view the U.S. Chamber's new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans which we will continue to update as more information becomes available. We encourage you to share this with your members and networks as you see fit.
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Resources & Tips
When you know where to look, help for your small business is there for the taking. Read this breakdown of grant programs available to small businesses, and the qualifying factors.
The federal Paycheck Protection Program offers forgivable loans to small businesses, but it has been changed several times. Here are your answers to the biggest questions about everything from eligibility criteria to amounts of funding provided.
Explore these commonly missed tax credits to see if there are opportunities to lower your 2020 tax burden.
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Monday, February 1st |11am-12pm
Million Recipes
117 Lower Mill Bay Road
(Kodiak Island Brewing Co. Parking Lot)
Welcome our newest business & food truck to Kodiak! Come celebrate the opening of Million Recipes! Enjoy delicious food and be entered to win a FREE lunch and dinner from Million Recipes, win 2020 Crab Fest gear and be sure to bring cash for Split-the-Pot that will be help from 11:45 am-12 pm.
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A Weekly Updates from the Kodiak
Chamber of Commerce
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We're kicking off 2021 by providing more information to our members than ever before! Tune in each Thursday at 4 pm as the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce updates businesses about opportunities, challenges, and advocacy outreach.
We'll cover:
- Funding Relief Options: PPP, EIDL, Employee Retention Tax Credits, and Live Event Facility Grants.
- What facets of the programs have changed to become more friendly?
- State and Local mandates and possible grant options.
- Current business concerns and advocacy needs.
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Can Employers Require Employees to Recieve a Vaccine
COVID-19 and the arrival of flu season create many unprecedented challenges for employers. It’s important to keep employees safe, healthy and working.
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In October 2020, the Alaska Small Business Development Center relaunched BuyAlaska, a program designed to support the small businesses we serve.
In partnership with over 30 leading organizations across Alaska, BuyAlaska connects consumers to Alaskan-owned businesses and encourages shopping small before turning to national retailers.
Alaska Small Business Development Center is pleased to let you know that BuyAlaska has just launched a directory for Alaskan-owned businesses. Creating a listing is simple and will guide customers to your business:
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Visit www.BuyAlaska.com
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Sign up as a BuyAlaska Member for free
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List Your Business on the BuyAlaska Statewide Directory
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ALASKA USA MORTGAGE COMPANY
BELLA BRONZE BODY SPA
CROSSFIT KODIAK ISLAND
ERICA BONDY FITNESS
HONEY SALON INC
KODIAK KARATE
THREE SISTERS COFFEE CO
THREE SISTERS TRADING CO
Interested in becoming a member? The Chamber Membership gives your organization the tools and support it needs to succeed. With access to business resources, educational materials, advocacy, networking opportunities, and much more... Contact us for more details!
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ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE CORP.
GEIGER
HARBORSIDE COFFEE AND GOODS
INT'L LONGSHOREMEN'S & WAREHOUSEMEN'S
JIM ARNESON
KODIAK CRIME STOPPERS, INC KODIAK HYDRAULICS
KODIAK ISLAND BREWING COMPANY
KODIAK ROTARY CLUB TUESDAY NOON
NORMAN'S
WESTERN AK LAND TITLE CO.
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Happy Early Valentines Day to all of our
Crab Fest Supporters!!
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2020 Crab Fest T-Shirts, including Long Sleeve T-Shirts, are now 75% OFF (prices range from $2.50 - $5.00) until February 15th!! |
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Member Updates & Spotlight |
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Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council Scholarships |
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Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council’s (CIRCA) has officially released the guidelines and applications for two, $2,500 Scholarship offerings for 2021:
- CIRCAC/James Carter Memorial Scholarship for Environmental Science, and the
- CIRCAC/Captain Barry Eldridge Memorial Scholarship for Maritime Studies
We just held our anniversary marking 30 years of working to protect Cook Inlet from oil-related disasters. CIRCAC’s core Congressional mandates are to monitor the environment of Cook Inlet for effects of oil facility operations, and to engage in the prevention of oil spills in the waters of Cook Inlet – mandates supported and furthered by these scholarship offerings.
This is the 7th year of our scholarship program. To date, we have awarded 12 scholarships, totaling $30,000, to highly qualified recipients from throughout our area of concern: Kodiak (2), Soldotna, Anchorage (2), Kenai, Nikiski, Anchor Point, and Homer (4). The scholarships are intended for graduating seniors or recent graduates – perhaps someone already enrolled in college or a maritime training program, or who has worked or entered military service after high school. The scholarships may be used at institutions outside of Alaska! As these scholarships are fairly targeted – and we know that it takes considerable effort to assemble a packet – applicants who are pursuing education in business, accounting, teaching, construction, architecture, ministry, medicine, or other studies need not apply.
To be considered, applicants must be residents of the Cook Inlet or Kodiak Island regions of the State of Alaska.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday, March 25, 2021. One change to our process – we are no longer accepting applications via FAX due to Covid-19 restrictions. We are simply not at our office during this pandemic. Our committee will review and select the finalists in early April, and we’ll set up teleconference interviews. Selections will be made and recipients notified on the day of interviews. Awards are paid directly to the school upon registration.
A final note of possible interest … last year we partnered with Marathon Petroleum to create an annual $2,500 scholarship for a deserving student in AVTEC’s maritime training program in Seward. We are continuing that program this year. For more information, please refer to their website.
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Eyecare Excellence Announcing New Owners! |
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But you won't have to say goodbye to Dr. Wheeler.
Eyecare Excellence has new owners!
Dr. Desiree Wheeler and her husband, Dustin, are excited to call Kodiak their home and will continue to care for the community they've come to love. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to "seeing" you in the office.
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To Keep Kodiak Dancing,
Next Step Dance Brings Instruction Online
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Dance is typically the sort of skill taught in person, but atypical times call for atypical solutions. And so, in the face of the COVID pandemic, Next Step Dance Kodiak brought their dance instruction online.
“Last spring, we had to go all-online... Read more
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Museum to Create Online Database of
Ancestral Collections
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Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository
215 Mission Road, Suite 101, Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone: 844-425-8844
DATE: January 13, 2021
CONTACT: Amanda Lancaster, Curator of
Museum to Create Online Database of Ancestral Collections
With a $32,578 grant from the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak and the Alutiiq Museum are collaborating on a tool that will help people locate, view, and study Alutiiq objects in the world’s museums. The Amutat project, which started this month, will begin developing a database of ancestral Alutiiq objects linked to the museum’s website. Visitors to the page will be able to search and study a wide range of Alutiiq tools, clothes, and ceremonial pieces assembled in one place.
“Examples of our ancestors’ tools are part of numerous museum collections spread across the United States and the world,” said Executive Director April Laktonen Counceller. “Large collections, like those in France, and Finland are... Read More
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Kodiak Maritime Museum
2021 Annual Meeting
6:30 pm Friday, Feb 5
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Join us for a brief online business meeting followed by stories, songs, and poetry by fisher poets Moe Bowstern, Melanie Brown, and
Steve Schoonmaker.
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Storyteller and singer
Moe Bowstern lives and creates in Portland, Oregon
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Singer songwriter
Melanie Brown setnets for salmon in Bristol Bay.
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Poet Steve Schoonmaker fishes salmon in Prince William Sound and lives in Kasilof, Alaska. |
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Before joining the meeting please update your membership here:
Not sure if you're still on board with your membership dues?
and we'll help you out.
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KEA Seeks Candidates for the
KEA Board of Directors
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 20, 2021
CONTACT: Nancy B. Sweeney, Communication/HR Specialist
PHONE: (907) 486-7709
Three Seats Up for Election Kodiak Electric Association, Inc. Board of Directors
The deadline for filing petitions is March 10, 2021.
Three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year in Kodiak Electric Association, Inc.’s membership election.
The Board of Directors consists of nine elected voting Directors, and one United States Coast Guard appointed non-voting liaison. This year, the seats currently held by Directors Stosh Anderson, Michael Brechan, and Cliff Davidson are up for election. All three seats are for three-year terms. KEA members locally elect KEA’s directors.
Candidate petition packets are available by contacting the KEA office. To be an eligible candidate, you must be a member of KEA.
Completed candidate petition packets must be received by 5 pm on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at the KEA office at 1614 Mill Bay Road.
The Notice of Annual Membership Meeting, Annual Report, and ballots will be mailed to members of KEA on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Completed ballots must be returned by mail in the envelope that is provided with the notice of the meeting and must be received by noon on Friday, April 16, 2021. All voting will be done by mail.
Ballot results will be announced at KEA’s Virtual Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2021. The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm.
During 2020, regular meetings of the Board were held on the fourth Thursday of each month, beginning at noon. An average of 30 hours is required for 12 regular meetings during the year. The Board also meets as a whole for the Annual Membership Meeting and on the next day to organize the slate of officers. Meetings may be held virtually.
KEA’s Bylaws state that each member is entitled to one vote. Joint members are jointly entitled to one vote. A ballot is voided if a person not listed on the account signs the return envelope. KEA members uncertain about the name(s) listed on their accounts are encouraged to call KEA to find out how to update their accounts. The deadline for any changes to be in effect for this year’s election process is February 24, 2021. Business Accounts (corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) should annually update their list of officers/owners authorized to vote on behalf of the account.
For further information, contact Nancy B. Sweeney, Communication/Human Resource Specialist, at (907) 486-7700.
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Alaska Airlines Next-Level Care |
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Alaska Airlines Next-Level Care
With the safety of our guests and employees in mind during these times, we have thought through every single touchpoint of the travel experience. From booking to boarding, and beyond, we have implemented nearly 100 ways to keep you safe every time you fly with us. Learn about the latest actions we’re taking to keep you safe, and what you can expect when you are ready to fly.
COVID-19 testing information for travelers
We're helping our guests travel to destinations that require a negative COVID-19 test result. We're partnering with multiple testing providers to offer COVID-19 travel testing — available by appointment in-person, at-home, or drive-thru. Please make your appointments early, as availability is limited.
Club 49 Hub
Check out our new Club 49 Hub! Your one-stop for the latest news from Club 49, learn about ways we’re working to make life in Alaska a little bit easier for our flyers, and special promotions and giveaways.
Hawaii Pre-Clear Program
Alaska Airlines guests traveling to Hawaii can now pre-clear on the West Coast, avoiding lines and bypassing the airport screening process after they arrive in Hawaii with an approved negative COVID-19 test. Alaska’s Pre-Clear program, launched this week in coordination with the State of Hawaii, is the first of its kind to allow guests to obtain an exemption from the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine before departure.
10 Question You Might Have About Traveling Again
Alaska Airlines is here to bring you the best care in the air—and answers to your burning travel questions—check out our tips so you can travel well and plan those long-awaited trips for spring and summer!
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Upcoming Workshops at Kodiak College |
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ENGLISH FOR HEALTHCARE WORKSHOP
1 Healthcare CEU
For the novice to intermediate English language learner. We will focus on speaking and listening in the health care workplace and exploration of employment and further training opportunities.
This class will be conducted in person. Class fee: Free
EXCEL FOR BEGINNERS (LEVEL 1)
Learn to enter and edit Excel content, select cells, and ranges, and create and modify basic formulas. This course assumes basic computer knowledge.
This class will be conducted on Zoom. You'll receive an email with joining instructions the day before the class begins. Class fee: $45.
QUICKBOOKS BASICS
This course introduces QuickBooks and essential accounting terminology. From the sales process, tracking revenue, managing expenses, bank reconciliation, to setting up and maintaining a company file.
This class will be conducted on Zoom. You'll receive an email with joining instructions the day before the class begins. Class fee:$90
COMPUTER CONFIDENCE
Personalized tutoring. Meeting times to be arranged. Learn to successfully navigate your computer, email, and the Internet in this one-on-one personalized course. Includes a personalized text.
Can take place on Zoom or face to face. Class fee: $50
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The impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Alaskan communities and businesses is changing daily. The Alaska SBDC is here to support and prepare small businesses in the days, weeks, and months to come. Here you will find guidance, updates, and resources to help adapt in an unpredictable situation.
To follow-up on your EIDL application, connect with the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or by e-mail. To follow-up on your PPP application, connect with your lender directly.
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COVID Conscious Business Kits |
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While Alaskans’ efforts to keep the spread low have made a difference, COVID-19 is still a serious health concern in Alaska. There’s a lot you can do as a business owner to help keep your workforce and clients safe.
The Chamber has a variety of signs and stickers available down at The Chamber. If you would like some, please email chamber@kodiak.org and we will get them to you.
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Don't forget to add your 2021 events to our calendar or send them to us at chamber@kodiak.org!
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President Julie Bonney
Past President Lindsay Knight
Vice President Patrick Cummings
Secretary/Treasurer Jeff Sanford
Board Members
Kevin Bumgarner · Daniel Eubanks · Tyler Kornelis ·
Phil Lampron · Diane Million · Ginny Shank · Pua Timu · Tyler Wallace
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City of Kodiak Representative Mike Tvenge
Kodiak Island Borough Representative Michael Powers
USCG Air Station Representative Capt. Bryan Dailey
KEA Representative Darron Scott
Discover Kodiak Representative Aimee Williams
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Contacts Us:
Phone: (907) 486-5557
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