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100 East Marine Way, Suite 300
Kodiak, AK 99615
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President's Message
Chamber Members,
Kodiak continues to do a great job with vaccinations with more than 50% of our population having received at least one shot. I am fully vaccinated and definitely thankful for that. I recently celebrated by vacationing in Mexico and it was an eye-opener traveling outside the US – definitely a global pandemic. Never realized that a face mask would be a fashion statement. I need to up my wardrobe with fancier face mask styles. Adios Covid!
Virtual ComFish just finished up and Crab Fest is coming May 27-31, in person, so mark your calendar! Hosted by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, the festival began in 1958 and is a time to celebrate spring and the abundant resources that we receive from the sea. We are so lucky! Crab Fest deadlines for vendors is April 27th and May 4th for Event and Parade participants so plan ahead. It’s five days filled with fun, food, and frivolity. I can’t wait for all the traditional food choices - bruin burger, turkey leg, pork on a stick, funnel cakes, to name just a few.
Community Clean-Up day is May 8th so mark your calendar and help us beautify Kodiak. As usual, anyone interested in participating should start at the High School parking lot to pick up their bags. Business hazardous waste can be dropped of at the landfill prior to Community Clean-Up Day, so it’s a great chance to get rid of those fluorescent bulbs, paint, and oil you may have from your business! Lions Club will be providing the hotdog lunch, and participants will have the opportunity to win prizes again this year.
Alas, Sarah Phillips, our awesome, superstar Executive Director over the last two years is leaving Kodiak in June. We are so saddened about that but wish Sarah the best in her next endeavor in Florida with Ryan, her Coast Guard husband. We think she’ll return to our little island someday…
On that note, we will start searching for a new ED this month. Rest assured that Sarah has established a smooth transition plan so that the Chamber continues to offer the same great support, advocacy, education, and fun that the Chamber is known for.
Goodbye winter, hello spring!
Julie Bonney
President
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Search for Next Kodiak Chamber Executive Director Begins |
Sarah Phillips, the current Executive Director for the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, recently announced she'll be departing Kodiak in June. She expressed great appreciation to the membership, community, and team she has worked with over the last nearly 3 years.
Departing is never easy, but she has created a thorough transition plan for her replacement. She also wishes to re-assure the membership and community that you can still expect the same great service and advocacy from the Chamber. She looks forward to her new adventures in Florida, but will always long for her Kodiak Community and expects to visit as often as possible!
Thus, the search for her replacement begins...
JOB TITLE: Executive Director
SUPERVISION: Reports to Board of Directors
BASIC FUNCTION:
Serve as chief executive officer of a non-profit membership-driven organization. Recommends and participates in the formulation of new policies. Utilizes existing policies as they have been approved by the Board of Directors to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the staff, programs, and activities of the Chamber of Commerce.
Responsible to the Board of Directors of the Chamber for the administration of the Chamber Program of Work and budget. The Executive Director shall be empowered to handle the staffing of the organization within the parameters established by the budget. Maintain a good working relationship with the membership of the Chamber of Commerce. Acts as chair for all major Chamber of Commerce Events including ComFish, Crab Festival, and Annual Dinners.
Any applicants wishing to be considered must submit a Resume & Cover Letter to ChamberDirector@Kodiak.org no later than 4/23/2020.
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Crab Festival Vendor, Event & Parade
Applications NOW Available
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It’s time for Crab Fest planning! We're looking forward to another year of fun-filled activities that celebrate everything that makes Kodiak the unique community that we love!
The 2021 Kodiak Crab Festival is coming up Memorial Day weekend, May 27th through the 31st! Applications for Vendors, Parade Entries, and Events are now available and due no later than April 27th.
All of these forms can be found on the website or downloaded by clicking below, or stop by for a physical copy at the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, 100 East Marine Way, Suite 300.
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ComFish Alaska 2021 in Review |
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ComFish Alaska, is more than a Fisheries Tradeshow, it's a Kodiak Tradition. As the largest and longest-running fisheries tradeshow in the State of Alaska, the ComFish Alaska Committee and Kodiak Chamber of Commerce were dedicated to continuing holding this time-honored tradition and important industry event despite COVID-19.
On March 30th and31st, commercial fisherman, processors, and industry professionals gathered online for a tradeshow and forum experience like never before. With over 350 industry registered attendees, 24 exhibitor booths, 10 education forums, and 22 presenters, 2 evenings of social receptions, Sea Stories, and fish tacos, we're confident that ComFish Alaska 2021 was a success!
Miss out on the forums? Recordings will be available at www.ComFishAK.com until next year's ComFish. Select the button below to see them all! Didn't get to connect with an exhibitor? Send us an email at Chamber@Kodiak.org and we'll connect you.
Looking forward to seeing everyone next year at the Kodiak Harbor Convention Center!
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Community Clean-Up Day: Save the Date |
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Join the Chamber of Commerce as we work to beautify Kodiak!
MAY 8TH
9:00AM-1:00PM
HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
On the day of clean-up, you can stop by the High School parking lot to pick up trash bags and choose an area in our community to help clean up.
Enjoy a free hot-dog lunch provided by the Kodiak Lions Club, with cookies, chips, and water. Filled bags should be left curbside for pick-up by 1pm.
Threshold will be accepting household electronics free of charge and Nick's Auto and Salvage Yard will be accepting residential metals (clean with no oils) free of charge for the whole day. The Landfill will accept up to 250lbs of residential waste free of charge and The Kodiak Island Borough will be offering free disposal of household hazardous waste (100 pound limit per person). Collect unwanted household hazardous waste from your home including floor care products, bug sprays, car batteries, used oils, paint thinners, and more. These household hazardous waste items are harmful to the environment, please do not put these items in your trash! This free service does not include disposal of explosives, medical wastes, asbestos, or radioactive wastes and is for residential hazardous waste only.
Back by popular demand: The Chamber will be giving away prizes to select participants, stay tuned for all the details!
Community Clean-Up Day is made possible by a generous sponsorship from Matson and Leisnoi, Inc.
Special thanks to ALPAR, Kodiak Lions Club, Threshold, Inc, and Alaska Waste, US Foods, the City of Kodiak,
and Kodiak Island Borough.
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American Rescue Plan Act Elevates Small Business Support |
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This includes additional support for programs the SBA is currently administering and adds new efforts, including:
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$7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program, including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services
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Additional funds are allocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, and now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, and the SVOG
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$15 billion additional for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) payments, including NEW $5 billion for Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advance payments for those hardest hit
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NEW: $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants
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NEW: $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program; grants will go to eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources.
Information about the SBA’s current relief efforts can be found at www.sba.gov/coronavirusrelief. More details about these program updates and new efforts the SBA will administer will be posted online in the coming weeks.
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Alaska 5 Things to Know About the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) |
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1. The SBA will begin accepting applications on April 8.
The SBA announced the launch of a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program Thursday, April 8.
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2. There will be a national information session on March 30.
Prior to the official SVOG application opening, the SBA will host a national informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities from 11:30 am to 1 pm PT Tuesday, March 30.
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3. You can now receive both a PPP and SVOG.
To ensure eligible venues do not miss a window to receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that apply for a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, can also apply for an SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG to be reduced by the PPP loan amount. The PPP loan applications have been updated to reflect this change. |
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4. There are several tools available to help you prepare.
The SBA has created several tools and resources to help potential SVOG applicants prepare. These include the following:
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5. Local partners can provide technical assistance.
The SBA Resource Partner Network provides advising and counseling services to help organizations prepare for funding opportunities like the SVOG, PPP, and other business recovery needs.
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Access Resources and Funding for Economic Relief
The SBA continues to be here to help you overcome the challenges created by the Coronavirus health crisis. We provide multiple funding options for those seeking relief.
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2021 Kodiak Relocation Guide |
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We are proud to announce that the
The Kodiak Chamber has created the relocation guide to assist those moving to Kodiak or about to start their move, or simply to learn more about what the Kodiak Community has to offer. It contains our full Member Directory along with facts and info about life in Kodiak!
You can access an electronic copy by clicking on the image.
Member businesses and local residents are welcome to pick up free copies of the guide!
We want to thank all of the photographers who submitted their beautiful images, which you will see throughout the guide.
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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 every other Thursday at 4 pm as the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce updates businesses about opportunities, challenges, and advocacy outreach.
We'll cover various topics including:
- Guest Presenters offering information about various topics
- Advocacy and Outreach Programs from the Kodiak Chamber
- Updates on COVID-19 Grants & Loan Programs
- Chamber Events including: Community Clean-Up Day, Crab Festival
Join us at 4pm on Thursday, April 1st, 15th & 29th.
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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...
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AFOGNAK NATIVE CORPORATION
ALASKA BERING SEA CRABBERS
ALASK PACIFIC SEAFOODS
ARDINGER'S FINE FURNITURE
BIG RAY'S
BROTHER FRANCIS SHELTER
CHANDLER FISHERIES INC
ELKS LODGE/B.P.O.E. 1772
THE FORAKER GROUP
FRIEND CONTRACTORS
GRAND SLAM TOYS & GAMES
KIWANIS CLUB OF KODIAK
KODIAK APPRAISAL COMPANY
KODIAK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
MIDTOWN AUTO REPAIR SERVICES
NATIVE VILLAGE OF AFOGNAK
NORTHRIM BANK
THE ODOM CORPORATION
OFFICE TECH INC.
THE ROOKERY
RONALD ACARREGUI
SALVATION ARMY
SUBWAY OF KODIAK
TRIDENT SEAFOODS
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Member Updates & Spotlight |
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Museums Plans Tribal Summit on
Recent Alutiiq History
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository
215 Mission Road, Suite 101, Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone: 844-425-8844
With a $49,564 grant from the Institute from Museum and Library Services, the Alutiiq Museum will host a tribal summit to discuss topics in recent Alutiiq history. The Difficult Discussions project, which started in January, is an effort to identify stories from the past 250 years of Alutiiq life that tribal members wish the museum to tell. Representatives from ten Kodiak tribes will gather at the museum for a two-day summit planned for June.
“When the Alutiiq Museum opened it was hard to learn about Alutiiq traditions, anywhere,” said Executive Director April Laktonen Counceller. “Twenty-five years ago, Elders urged us not to focus on stories of oppression, because of the great need for cultural education. But now, some tribal members want us to look at the ways recent experiences have shaped our community. They advocate for an honest telling of our history to promote healing and combat stereotypes.”
At the two-day event, tribal members will hear presentations from tribal historians Counceller, Alisha Drabek, and Sven Haakanson. Each will share a different aspect of recent Alutiiq history. Following these presentations, tribal representatives will participate in facilitated discussions to share their personal stories and give advice about the topics to share in exhibits and publications. The Discussions will be facilitated by the First Nations Institute and supported by a mental health professional from the Kodiak Area Native Association.
“Our ancestors and Elders have persevered through incredible challenges,” said Counceller. “The massacre at Refuge Rock, the smallpox epidemic, abusive educational institutions, and medical mistreatment are not easy to talk about. Yet, they are an essential part of our history and directly relevant to understanding our communities. By providing an opportunity to discuss community history in a safe supportive space, Difficult Discussions will help people learn and share.”
Based on the instructions of tribal members, the museum will update its interpretive plan—the document that guides its educational efforts. The museum will also create a series of educational handouts and a script for a future exhibit.
Counceller said, “This project will allow tribal members to tell the stories that are important to them and help the museum provide a fuller, more truthful account of the Alutiiq experience. Not all of these stories are about pain and loss. There are also remarkable examples of resistance and perseverance among our people. We want to tell all of these stories.”
The Alutiiq Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and culture of the Alutiiq, an Alaska Native tribal people. Representatives of Kodiak Alutiiq organizations govern the museum with funding from charitable contributions, memberships, grants, contracts, and sales.
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Three (3) Candidates for the KEA Board of Directors |
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 12, 2021
CONTACT: Nancy B. Sweeney, Communication/HR Specialist
PHONE: (907) 486-7709
Three (3) cooperative members are candidates for the three (3) three-year seats open for election on the KEA Board of Directors: Stosh Anderson, Michael C. Brechan, and Cliff Davidson. All three candidates are incumbents. The deadline for KEA members to file their completed candidate petition packets was March 10, 2021.
The Notice of Annual Membership Meeting, Annual Report, and ballots will be mailed to all members of KEA on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Completed ballots must be returned by mail in the postage-paid return envelopes that are provided with KEA’s voting packet 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 79th Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, April 19, 2021. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom Webinar and will be begin at 7:00 p.m.
The signed postage-paid return envelopes will be entered into prize drawings during the Virtual Annual Membership Meeting. The prizes are two (2) $250 certificates for electricity.
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Kodiak Arts Council Artist Awards |
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The application period for the Kodiak Arts Council's 2021 Artist Awards program is now open.
We offer arts awards every year to further individual growth in the arts. Award funds may be used for a variety of artistic pursuits, and artists from all Kodiak Island communities are encouraged to apply. A Ginny Shank Dance award is available specifically in the discipline of dance.
Complete guidelines and an application form are available on our website. Award applications are due to the Arts Council office by April 5, 2021.
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Upcoming Workshops at Kodiak College |
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POWERFUL PUBLIC SPEAKING
(In-person OR Online via Zoom)
Three Wednesdays in April 14, 21, 28
from 6 pm-7:30 pm
Whatever your Bully Pulpit or Soapbox maybe, this dynamic workshop helps you find and hone your voice to maximum effectiveness. Using time-proven strategies, you will be able to deliver powerful and persuasive messages to a variety of audiences. This course is appropriate for students 14 and up. This class will be conducted either in person or on Zoom.
Choose the best option for you when you register. Class fee $45.
OUTBOARD REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
(In person at Kodiak College)
Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10 from 8 am-5 pm
This is a two-day (16-hour) workshop covering theory and hands-on maintenance of 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboard engines of 25-horsepower and larger. Classroom instruction is organized by the three major components of an outboard: power-head, mid-section, and the lower unit. Hands-on practice in the lab follows each section that is covered in the classroom. Topics include machinery of each component, compression tests, changing spark plugs, oil changes, troubleshooting, parts replacement, the importance of maintenance, winterizing, and more. This class is for set-netters, sports fishing enthusiasts, owners of commercial fishing vessels, non-boaters, those wishing to explore the career path of Marine Service Technician, and any other interested party.
This course is appropriate for students 14 and up. Class fee $225.
DC ELECTRICAL FOR VESSELS (AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE)
(In person at Kodiak College)
Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1 and May 10 from 8 am-5 pm
This is a 12-hour workshop for all beginners -women, and men- who want to learn basic theory and practices of direct current electricity aboard vessels. Practice crimping wires, assemble a circuit of common vessel components, use a multi-meter to test your circuit, apply basic safety standards, read and draw an electrical diagram, learn and use the power equation, plus more. If you own a boat or wish you did, if you go fishing, if you'd like to know what makes a float-switch work, if you have a casual interest in electricity, or if you're exploring the career of Marine Service Technician, this workshop is for you. No testing, just learning.
This course is appropriate for students 14 and up. Class fee $175.
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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Should you have any questions about PPP, grants, additional funding, or any other COVID-19 related questions, please contact the Chamber at (907) 486-5557 at any time.
Additional resource links for COVID:
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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 · 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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