Alaska Digest Email News
August 23-29, 2004

Alaska Delegation Announces $ 122 Million In Grants, Awards, Contracts To Alaska Towns And Organizations

Anchorage, AK - The Alaska Congressional Delegation of Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young announced that Alaska communities, organizations and governments have received a host of federal grants and awards totaling $97.1 million. The Delegation also announced several government contracts totaling $24.9 million.

The grants from a host of federal agencies and programs include:

Department of Transportation:

• Sitka will receive a grant for $446,067 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for bus and van operations to help low-income citizens get to work.
• Wasilla is receiving a grant for $1.394 million from the FTA to upgrade the community's bus terminal under terms of the same program.
• Wrangell is gaining a grant for $2.632 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to realign the access road to the Wrangell airport to improve traffic flow around the airport terminal.
• Chenega Bay is gaining a grant from the FAA through the State of Alaska for $2.8 million to fund rehabilitation of its runway, improvement of an airport apron, rehabilitation of the access road to the airport and for construction of a snow removal equipment building.
• Soldotna is gaining a grant from the FAA for $390,000 to fund the first phase of construction of a turf runway and purchase of land adjacent to the Soldotna airport.
• Yakutat is gaining a grant from the FAA through the State of Alaska for $1.52 million for the second phase of improving the runway safety area and for relocation of existing navigational aids.
• Clarks Point is gaining a grant of $4 million from the FAA through the State of Alaska for construction of a new airport and construction of a snow removal equipment building. This, the Yakutat and Wasilla projects were previously announced in Fairbanks on Aug. 6 during a Fairbanks runway apron ceremony involving Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Department of Health and Human Services:

• The Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center on Northern Lights Blvd. will receive a grant for $388,942 under the Ryan White program to provide early treatment of HIV among children.
• The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium in Juneau will receive a grant of $614,029 to conduct a chronic disease prevention and health promotion campaign in Southeast.
• The Wrangell Community Services program is gaining a grant of $99,410 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to improve substance abuse programs in Wrangell.
• The Cook Inlet Council Alcohol and Drug Abuse program in Kenai is gaining a grant for $198,820 under the same program to provide rural women treatment services.
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is granting a grant of $695,870 from the same agency to fund its chronic inebriate program task group in Fairbanks.
• The organization Akeela, Inc. of Minnesota Drive in Anchorage is gaining a grant from the same program of $198,820 to fund its substance abuse treatment Retention and Transition program.
• The New Hope Counseling Center in Soldotna is gaining a grant for $149,115 from the same program to fund its residential substance abuse program.
• The Municipality of anchorage is gaining a grant for $497,050 from the same program to fund an expansion of its alcohol treatment program.
• And Stone Soup Group in Anchorage is receiving a grant for $198,820 from the same group to continue its work with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children in Alaska.
• Sealaska Heritage Foundation in Juneau is receiving a grant from the Administration for Native Americans for $119,610 to provide a three-year program so Native people can work in Hoonah's planned tourism operation.
• The Orutsaramuit Native Council based in Bethel is receiving a grant for $358,445 from the same agency to implement a children's tribal court in the area.
• The Chugach Regional Resources Commission on Lake Otis in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $136,527 from the same agency for an economic development project.
• The Chickaloon Native Village is gaining a grant for $167,733 from the same agency to improve environmental quality regulation in the community. The village is gaining a second grant for $149,856 to fund its Koht'ean Kenaege' (Ahtna Athabascan) language preservation program.
• The Yakutat Tlingit Tribe in Yakutat is gaining a grant for $175,000 from the same agency to implement its Yakutat Tlingit language project.
• The Aleutian Pribilof Island Association for St. Paul based in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $173,012 from the same agency to fund the Unangam Tunuu Preservation project's second phase.
• Alutiiq Heritage Foundation based in Kodiak is gaining a grant for $171,399 from the same agency to continue its Alutiiq language revitalization project.
• The Robert Aqqaluk Newlin Sr. Memorial Trust based in Kotzebue is gaining a grant from the Administrative for Native Americans for $96,410 for a regionwide survey and planning effort to save Northwest Alaska Native languages.
• The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida based in Juneau is gaining a grant for $50,000 from the same agency to fund a CCF targeted capacity building for its youth program.
• The Kenaitze Indian Tribe based in Kenai is gaining a grant from the came agency for $49,419 to fund a similar building program.
• The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium based in Anchorage is gaining a grant under the Ryan White program for $79,393 to treat HIV cases.
• The Pilot Station Traditional Council based in Pilot Station is gaining a grant from the same agency for $54,785 to implement its community development plan.
• The Sitka Tribe of Alaska based in Sitka is gaining a grant for $121,431 to fund a tribal tannery.
• The Stebbins Community Association based in Stebbins is gaining a grant for $124,614 from the same agency to fund planning for a reindeer herb.
• The Chignik Bay Tribal Council based in Chignik Bay is gaining a grant for $151,338 under the same program to fund its planning project.
• The Inuit Circumpolar Conference of Alaska based in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $90,226 to the project, "Whaling: The Inupiag Way of Life."
• The Southcentral Foundation based on Diplomacy Drive in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $200,000 to fund its transitional living program.
• The University of Alaska, Anchorage is gaining a grant for $71,100 for its drug abuse research program on risky HIV behaviors and depression among drug users.
• And the State of Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services in Juneau is gaining two grants, one for $40,000 for a trauma emergency medical services program and a second for $167,293 for a fatality assessment and control program.

Department of Commerce:

• The Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science at the Seward Sealife Center is gaining a grant from NOAA for $2.83 million to support research on fisheries and ecosystems.
• The Kodiak Island Borough is gaining a grant from NOAA for $2.473 million for geodetic surveys and services.
• The Aleut Marine Mammal Commission based in Dutch Harbor is gaining a grant for $119,404 to fund its work.
• The Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association based in anchorage is gaining a grant for $470,737 for its science program.
• The Aleut Community of St. Paul on St. Paul Island is gaining a NOAA grant for $100,000 for marine mammal data collection involving the North Pacific fur sea herd.
• The Gulf of Alaska Coastal Communities Coalition based in anchorage is gaining a grant from NOAA for $400,928 to help small boat communities.
• The University of Alaska Fairbanks is gaining a grant for $940,858 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund a marine mammal data program. The University is gaining a second grant for $574,042 for a undersea research program on West Coast and Polar regions.
• The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is gaining a number of grants from NOAA. One is for $19.29 million for research and implementation of the state's Pacific Salmon Treaty program. A second grant for $233,953 is for additional marine mammal data collection. A third grant for $376,439 is for additional work on Pacific Salmon treaty enforcement. And a fourth grant for $555,000 is for coastal zone management and estuarine research reserves work in the Kachemak Bay area.

Department of Agriculture:

• The Akiachak Fish Cooperative in Akiachak is gaining a grant for $344,810 from the Rural Development Program to establish a producer's cooperative to manufacture value-added fish products from both freshwater and salmon from saltwater on a year-round basis.
• The Workforce Development Center based in Sitka is gaining a grant for $50,000 from the USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant program to develop marketing tools and techniques to help emerging rural businesses.
• The Kenai Peninsula Borough Economic Development District is receiving a grant for $42,731 from the same program to operate a revolving micro-loan fund.
• The State of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation in Juneau is gaining a grant for $27.134 million to fund water and sewer and solid waste projects in 19 rural communities and to fund feasibility studies in another 11. This is just part of the federal funding that will go for rural sanitation projects in Alaska in FY '04. The State's Department of Natural Resources also gained a grant for $46,000 to expand the use of farmers markets as a direct marketing outlet for Alaska growers.
• AHTNA, Inc. based in Glennallen has received a loan for $3.5 million from the USDA's Business and Industry Loan program to restructure rural development debt in the region. The money is part of money, some already announced, going to the Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, Inc. project based in Anchorage.
• Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services in Sitka received a $700,000 rural community facility direct loan from the USDA to expand the existing facility and merge three agencies for substance abuse, treatment for mental health problems and preventative services into a central location. The loan is a 30-year loan at 4.75% interest.

Department of Justice:

• The Bering Sea Womens Group based in Nome is gaining a grant for $111,013 under the Tribal Victim Assistance Discretionary Grant program to plan and implement a 3-year program to improve the ability of Native communities to provide direct services to the victims of child abuse, elder abuse, DWI and gang violence.
• The Municipality of Anchorage is gaining a grant for $1.978 million under the Safe Streets Act to fund a three-year program to respond to illegal drug and alcohol use for homeless veterans.
• Partners for Progress, based in Anchorage, is gaining a grant for $247,369 under the Safe Streets Act to fund the Anchorage Wellness Court to check the cycle of repeated alcoholic misdemeanor arrests.
• Chugachmiut Inc., based in Anchorage, is gaining a grant for $241,484 under the Violent Crime Control Act, to develop a sex offender management practices program.
• The City of Saxman, based in Ketchikan, is gaining a grant for $74,900 to fund the Revilla Island Prevention Coalition, a program to fight the effects of substance abuse.
• The Sitka Tribe of Alaska based in Sitka is gaining a grant for $1.115 million for a program to combat violence against women.
• The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault based in Juneau is also gaining a grant for $150,000 to fund a similar program.
• Alaska Native Justice Center on Fireweed Lane in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $989,477 to fund an Alaska Rural Law Enforcement and Justice Commission.
• The Alaska Native Womens Coalition in Allakaket is gaining a grant for $800,000 to combat violence against women.
• Alaska State Troopers in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $643,160 under the Safe Streets Act to reduce motor vehicle accidents by providing an enhanced emergency vehicle training program.
• And the State of Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services are gaining a number of grants. The first is for $1.978 million to the Division of Family and Youth Services to coordinate child abuse investigations and interventions. A second grant for $68,000 is going to the support local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts. A third grant for $600,000 is going for another juvenile justice program.

Department of Education:

• The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $201,570 to fund its Native education program.
• The Copper River Native Association based in Copper Center is gaining a grant for $351,000 for a vocational training program.
• Kawerak. Inc. the social service program of NANA based in Nome is gaining a grant for $540,427 to work with the Bering Straits School District on remedial and enrichment programs to help students improve test scores in school.
• The Bering Straits School District is receiving its own grant for $481,303 to help develop paraprofessionals to meet the standards of the No Child Left Behind program.
• The Yukon Flats School District based in Ft. Yukon will gain a grant for $633,748 for special programs for low-performing students to help improve state graduation test scores.
• Alaska Educational Services Inc. in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $472,198 to help low-income children through after-school programs.
• The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District based in Palmer is gaining a grant for $543,774 to develop a program to address underage alcohol and drug abuse.
• The Juneau City & Borough School District is gaining a grant for $49,273 to develop a "smaller schools" model starting in fall 2004.
• The Delta/Greely School District will gain a grant for $745,575 to help Native students use online distance education courses.
• The Fairbanks North Star Borough based in Fairbanks will gain a grant for $298,230 to implement a 4R children's methology to improve reading, reasoning, relationships and relevance in education.
• The Alaska Hospitality Alliance Education Foundation on 4th Ave. in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $99,410 for a high school education and certification program.
• The University of Alaska, Southeast in Juneau is gaining a grant for $1.491 million to continue implementing a professional development system for the field of early care and education.
• And the state's Department of Education and Early Development in Juneau is gaining two grants. The first for $1.988 million is for a mentoring and student achievement project, while the second for $994,100 is for the Department's Right Start program.

Corporation for National Community Service:

• The corporation that runs the AmeriCorps program is providing a grant to the AmAk Literacy Project based in Anchorage or $556,514 to fund the placement of nine Enterprise AmeriCorps members to support children, adults and families.
• The Rural Alaska Village Environmental Network Youth Development program of the Rural Alaska Community Action Program based in Anchorage is gaining a grant for $280,000 to fund 20 full-time equivalent AmeriCorps positions to help with youth development programs.
• The Building Initiatives in Rural Community Health program of RuralCAP based in Anchorage also received a $235,463 grant to fund the placement of 15 full-time equivalent AmeriCorps members to operate the BIRCH program to conduct community health need assessments and implement wellness, vaccination and anti-alcohol, drug and tobacco programs.

Environmental Protection Agency:

• The EPA has granted "Brownfields" grants to the Fairbanks North Star Borough and to St. Paul. The grants will fund assessments of needed environmental cleanups. Fairbanks will gain a $149,398 grant while St. Paul will gain $200,000.

Department of the Interior:

• The Department has provided a matching grant for $74,449 to the Wildlife Conservation Society based in Anchorage for a research program "Nest Survivorship of Migratory Birds & Development in Arctic Alaska."
• The Island Conservation group will also gain a grant of $250,000 for an invasive species project in Alaska and also California and Mexico.

Department of Labor:

• The Workforce Development Center in Sitka has received a grant of $24,770 to help find jobs for 20 unemployed and underemployed individuals in the area.

Contracts: Department of Labor:

• The Alaska Jobs Corps Training Center in Palmer has received funding to pay for a contract of $102,508 to fund architecture and engineering design of a new Vocational Annex Building at the center in Palmer. The construction design and administration will be performed by Bratslavsky Consulting Engineers of the Old Seward Highway in Anchorage.

Department of the Army:

• The Army has awarded a contract for $5.210 million to Bristol Environmental and Engineering Services Corp. on West International Airport Road in Anchorage for White Alice tram and debris removal at Northeast Cape on St. Lawrence Island. The work will be performed in 2005 and completed in 2006.
• The Army also has awarded a contract for $19.683 million to Arctic Slope Compliance Technologies Inc. on C St. in Anchorage for capacity enhancement at the South Access Road facility at Ft. Greely at Delta. The work will involve the Dual High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse shielding duct bank work and the feeder road to missile fields. Also involved will be substation power upgrades, utilidor extensions, exterior lighting and communications and security work plus site grading and associated drainage work.