Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation

TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF ITS MEMBER COMMUNITIES; SEE SCH O. THROUGH SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE BERING SEA RESOURCES.

COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - SEE SCHEDULE OBBEDC HAS INVESTED OVER $116,000,000 IN COMMUNITY GRANTS SINCE 2002. COMMUNITY GRANTS, SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, PROVIDE BBEDC COMMUNITIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FUND PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IN ADDITION, COMMUNITIES MAY CHOOSE TO USE COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE RESIDENT HOUSEHOLDS IN THE RESPECTIVE BBEDC COMMUNITIES TO PURCHASE HOME HEATING FUEL AND/OR ELECTRICITY OR TO FUND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) OF BUILDINGS AND ICE MACHINES TO WHICH THE COMMUNITY OWNS TITLE. IN 2022, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALLOCATED $500,000 PER BBEDC COMMUNITY AND THE FOLLOWING WERE AWARDED.ALEKNAGIK $500,000PURCHASE HEAVY EQUIPMENT - LOADERPURCHASE VEHICLEHOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCECLARKS POINT $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCEWATER/WASTEWATER PLANT RENOVATION & REPAIR PROJECTROAD RENOVATION AND REPAIR PROJECTDILLINGHAM $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCETRIBAL COUNCIL OFFICE O&MEGEGIK $500,000LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTEKUK $500,000CONSTRUCTION OF EKUK TO CLARKS POINT ROAD PHASE IXEKWOK $500,000PURCHASE HEAVY EQUIPMENT LOADERLANDFILL WARM STORAGE BUILDING PROJECTHOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCEKING SALMON $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCELEVELOCK $500,000FISH PROCESSING PLANT DEVELOPMENT, NEXT PHASEHOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCETRIBAL COUNCIL OFFICE O&MLEVELOCK CLINIC/RAINBOW HALL O&MMANOKOTAK $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCE BRUSH CUTTING PROJECTPURCHASE VEHICLE(S)NAKNEK $500,000EXIT M/V SEAHORSE PROJECTUPGRADE DOLLY'S HALL PROJECTDOLLY'S HALL/BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB O&MPILOT POINT $500,000SEAFOOD PROCESSING FACILITY, NEXT PHASEHEAVY EQUIPMENT BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, NEXT PHASEPORTAGE CREEK $500,000COMMUNITY WATER WELL PROJECTPORT HEIDEN $500,000PURCHASE HEAVY EQUIPMENT LOADERPURCHASE HEAVY EQUIPMENT FUEL TRUCKCOMMUNITY WALK-IN FREEZER PROJECTSTEEL BUILDING UPGRADE PROJECTSECURITY SYSTEM INSTALLATION PROJECTHOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCESOUTH NAKNEK $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCEBUILDING REPAIR/REMEDIATION PROJECTTOGIAK $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCEBUILDING ROOF REPAIR PROJECTTWIN HILLS $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCEPURCHASE HEAVY EQUIPMENT GRADERCOMMUNITY WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM UPGRADEUGASHIK $500,000HOME HEATING FUEL/ELECTRIC ASSISTANCEICE MACHINE/COMMUNITY BUILDINGS O&MUPGRADE BARGE LANDING NEXT PHASEDISPOSAL OF WIN-RAY NEXT PHASEBUILDING REPAIR PROJECTFUEL TRUCK REPAIR PROJECTARCTIC TERN PROGRAMTHE ARCTIC TERN PROGRAM MAKES GRANTS OF UP TO $6,000 AVAILABLE TO EACH BBEDC COMMUNITY TO UNDERTAKE PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH UNDER THE AGE OF 17. A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF $50,997 WAS AWARDED TO 10 BBEDC COMMUNITIES IN 2022 AND 87 YOUTH WERE EMPLOYED AND/OR ENGAGED. PROJECTS INCLUDED COMMUNITY-WIDE CLEANUP EVENTS, YOUTH INTERN POSITIONS, COMMUNITY HELPER PROGRAM'S IN TWO SEPARATE COMMUNITIES THAT EMPLOYED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PROVIDE HOME SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS IN NEED, ATTENDANCE AT THE ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES (AFN) YOUTH AND ELDERS CONFERENCE, AND AN ALASKA EDUCATIONAL EXPLORATION TOUR.INTEREST RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMTEN RESIDENT FISHERS WERE RECIPIENTS OF INTEREST RATE ASSISTANCE (IRA) PROGRAM FUNDING FOR A TOTAL OF $22,356 IN 2022. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO OFFSET THE EXPENSE OF EVER-INCREASING INTEREST RATES FOR RESIDENT FISHERS SO THAT THEY MAY REINVEST IN THEIR FISHING OPERATIONS. MOST PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THAT THE LOAN AND SAVINGS GAINED FROM THE IRA WERE INVESTED IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR VESSELS AND ADDED GEAR; ALL OF WHICH MAKES RESIDENT FISHING OPERATIONS MORE PROFITABLE AND RESULTS IN MORE ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE REGION. GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCEBRISTOL BAY COMMUNITIES RELY ON FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE GRANTING SOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF CRITICAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS FOR DEVELOPMENT THAT RESULTS IN INCOME GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS. BBEDC'S GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES THE SERVICES OF SELECTED GRANT-WRITING CONSULTANTS FOR FUNDING SEARCHES, PROPOSAL PRE-DEVELOPMENT, PRE-APPLICATIONS, AS WELL AS PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT, FOLLOW-UP AND REVIEW. IN 2022, $44,739 WAS INVESTED IN PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING ASSISTANCE FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY BBEDC COMMUNITIES TO GRANTING AGENCIES. INDIVIDUAL GRANT PROPOSALS REQUIRED UP TO 100 HOURS OF CONSULTANT TIME IN SOME CASES DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMOUR REGION'S ENTREPRENEURS, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL FISHERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS/GOVERNMENTS, INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL BUSINESSES, ARE AN ASSET TO BE CULTIVATED, MOTIVATED, AND REWARDED. HEALTHY AND THRIVING BUSINESSES GENERATE RESIDENT JOBS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THE REGION. BBEDC'S TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROMOTES BUSINESS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WHETHER IT IS A COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATION OR OTHER SMALL BUSINESS. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE ALASKA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (ABDC) AND AGNEW::BECK CONSULTING, RESIDENT ENTREPRENEURS ARE PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES. IN 2022, CONSULTING TIME FUNDED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TOTALED $4,808 AND $91,292 WAS INVESTED IN THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE SPECIFICALLY FOR APPLICANTS AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE EMERGENCY TRANSFER GRANT PROGRAM, PERMIT LOAN PROGRAM AND VESSEL ACQUISITION PROGRAM. BBEDC ALSO INVESTED $48,050 INTO AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE PERMIT LOAN PROGRAM, THAT PROJECT WILL EXTEND INTO 2023.COMMUNITY LIAISON PROGRAMTHROUGH THE BBEDC COMMUNITY LIAISON PROGRAM GRANTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO EACH CDQ COMMUNITY (CITY OR TRIBAL ORGANIZATION) TO FUND A POSITION THAT SERVES AS A LIAISON FOR BBEDC STAFF IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THE POSITION IS CRITICAL FOR ASSURING THAT RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH CURRENT INFORMATION AND EASY ACCESS TO BBEDC PROGRAM INFORMATION. THE INDIVIDUAL IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE GRANT RECIPIENT AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THAT ORGANIZATION WITH OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS. IN 2022, BBEDC COMMUNITY LIAISONS REPORTED 1,025 INDIVIDUAL CONTACTS WITH RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. GRANTS OF $56,400 WERE AVAILABLE TO EACH OF THE 16 COMMUNITY APPLICANTS. EACH COMMUNITY WAS ALSO ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $1,000 ANNUALLY TO OFFSET THE COST OF INTERNET TO ATTEND MONTHLY COMMUNITY LIAISON MEETINGS THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE. BBEDC INVESTED A TOTAL OF $841,400 IN 2022.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENTVOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAMBBEDC RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR SKILLED INDIVIDUALS FOR EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS IN TODAY'S WORKFORCE AS WELL AS THE HIGH TRAINING COSTS RELATED TO THOSE SKILLS. THROUGH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM, RESIDENTS CAN APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UP TO $5,000 TO ATTEND TRAININGS OR CERTIFICATION COURSES THAT ARE EITHER DIRECTLY RELATED TO THEIR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT OR JOB READINESS TRAINING THAT WOULD LEAD TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2022, RESIDENTS APPLIED FUNDING TO A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING, SUPERINTENDENT ENDORSEMENTS, DIESEL HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES, COMMERCIAL PILOT TRAINING, CULINARY ARTS, AND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES THAT PROVIDED CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS NECESSARY FOR CERTIFICATIONS. FORTY-THREE APPLICANTS WERE AWARDED VOCATIONAL FUNDING TOTALING $158,381.STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMWITH THE AVERAGE COST OF TUITION ON THE RISE, STUDENT LOANS MAY BE INEVITABLE FOR SOME REGION RESIDENTS PURSUING A DEGREE, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATION. THE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT RESIDENTS WHO RETURN HOME ONCE THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR EDUCATIONAL PATHWAY. AFTER WORKING FOR A FULL YEAR IN THE REGION'S WORKFORCE, APPROVED APPLICANTS CAN BEGIN GETTING A PORTION OF THEIR STUDENT LOANS FORGIVEN ANNUALLY. STARTING AT 10% THE FIRST YEAR AND CONTINUING OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, UP TO 100% OR $20,000 CAN BE FORGIVEN. THREE RESIDENTS WERE APPROVED IN 2022, WITH ONE APPLICANT IN THEIR 5TH YEAR QUALIFYING TO HAVE 100% OF THEIR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVEN. BBEDC'S TOTAL CONTRIBUTION FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS $10,480.YOUTH INTERNSHIPSTHE YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES, FROM 4 TO 16 WEEKS TO RESIDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14-17. EMPLOYERS AROUND THE REGION APPLY TO HOST AN INTERNSHIP TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL AND PURPOSEFUL INSTRUCTION ON WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK WITHIN THEIR COMPANY AND IN OTHER BUSINESSES ALIKE. FOR SOME INTERNS, THE INTERNSHIP MAY BE THE FIRST JOB THEY APPLY FOR AND/OR JOB INTERVIEW THEY PARTICIPATE IN, VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN ITSELF. ONCE HIRED, THE INTERNS DISCUSS WITH THEIR SUPERVISORS WHAT TASKS AND/OR SKILLS WILL BE FOCUSED ON OR COMPLETED DURING THE INTERNSHIP AND TOGETHER THEY DEVELOP THE REQUIRED LEARNING PLAN. IN 2022, BBEDC COLLABORATED WITH ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION TO ADVERTISE AND RECRUIT FOR OFFICE ASSISTANTS, LABORERS, ELDER HELPER, PARK RANGER, LIBRARY AIDE AND MORE. NINE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDED INTERNSHIPS TO 11 YOUTH. BBEDC SUPPORTED THESE ORGANIZATIONS BY COVERING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF $44,981.SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMTHE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS FOR RESIDENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING NEW JOB SKILLS AND GAINING MORE EXPERIENCE TO BECOME A STRONGER APPLICANT FOR FUTURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. EMPLOYERS ARE ABLE TO REQUEST AND ENTRY LEVEL EMPLOYEE FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 4 AND 16 WEEKS. THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND AND OFFERS POSITIONS THAT ARE EITHER PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME AND SOMETIMES GIVES RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE WITH JOBS THAT REQUIRE OVERTIME. IN 2022 SOME OF THE VARIETY OF EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS THAT WERE OFFERED WE OFFICE ASSISTANTS, COOKS, SHOP CLERKS, LABORERS, GROUNDSKEEPERS, ELDER HELPERS AND MORE. THERE WERE 52 EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS OFFERED AROUND THE REGION AND 27 RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN VALUABLE ON THE JOB TRAINING. THIS FUNDING WAS ABLE TO PAY SOME OF THE WAGES AND EMPLOYER TAXES TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAD EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS FILLED AND FOR A TOTAL OF $194,678.02SOUTHWEST ALASKA VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER (SAVEC) SAVEC IS BBEDC'S PREFERRED IN-REGION TRAINING FACILITY THAT PROVIDES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN RESPONSE TO THE REGION'S WORKFORCE NEEDS. WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AROUND THE REGION, SAVEC PARTNERS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES TO BRING TRAINERS INTO THE REGION. ONE POPULAR TRAINING SAVEC PROVIDES IS A HAZWOPER CERTIFICATION WHICH MANY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES NEED SO SKILLED WORKERS CAN PROPERLY HANDLE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRES AN ANNUAL REFRESHER COURSE, ALSO AVAILABLE AT SAVEC, TO COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS AND MAINTAIN A CERTIFICATE. BY PROVIDING THE TRAINING WITHIN THE REGION, RESIDENTS CAN OBTAIN THIS HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER CERTIFICATION WITHOUT THE ADDED EXPENSE OF LEAVING THE REGION AND EMPLOYERS CAN TRAIN MORE PEOPLE FOR LESS MONEY. SAVEC TRAINED 122 INDIVIDUALS FROM 11 COMMUNITIES AROUND THE REGION, THEIR TRAINING COSTS FUNDED BY BBEDC TOTALED $249,128 IN 2022.NURSING PROGRAM SUPPORTUNIVERSITY OF ALASKA- BRISTOL BAY CAMPUS OFFERS DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES WITH HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN NURSING THROUGH THE PRE-NURSING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. THE LOCAL HEALTH CORPORATION OFFERS CLINICAL SITES FOR COHORT MEMBERS TO WORK WITH PATIENTS AND GAIN VALUABLE IN-PERSON EXPERIENCES. THROUGH OBTAINING THE CERTIFICATE, STUDENTS FULFIL HALF OF THE REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FOR AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN NURSING. THE PROGRAM ONLY ACCEPTS STUDENTS EVERY OTHER YEAR AND IS LIMITED TO 4-6 STUDENTS PER COHORT. IN 2022, THE TWO STUDENTS THAT STARTED THEIR PROGRAM IN FALL OF 2021, KIM LARSON AND KATHERINE CARPENTER, GRADUATED WITH AN AAS IN NURSING. BBEDC IS PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND HONORED TO PROVIDE $17,500 TO THE BRISTOL BAY CAMPUS TO ASSIST WITH INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS.INTERNSHIPS IN-REGION INTERNSHIP PROGRAMTHE IN-REGION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE A FOCUSED AVENUE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, FOR RESIDENTS TO EXPERIENCE EMPLOYMENT IN AN OCCUPATION THEY ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING. INTERNSHIPS ARE OPEN TO RESIDENTS WHO HAVE PREVIOUS WORK OR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN A FIELD AND WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES. THE PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED TO ASSIST STUDENTS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE INTERNSHIP HOURS IN THEIR PERSONAL EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS. IN 2022, BBEDC PROVIDED $54,455 FOR THREE INTERNSHIPS, AND TO HELP SUPPORT THE NEW INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, CIULISTET. THE CIULISTET PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN BBNA, BBNC, AND BBEDC TO SUPPORT NEW LEADERS AROUND THE REGION. BELOW IS AN OVERVIEW PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER KRISTINA ANDREW.OTHER: $435,187

REGIONAL FISHING DEVELOPMENT - SEE SCHEDULE OVESSEL UPGRADE GRANT PROGRAMAS THE BRISTOL BAY SALMON FLEET CONTINUES TO ADVANCE IN THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND HARVESTING CAPABILITIES, MANY FISHERS CONSIDER UPGRADING THEIR BOATS TO HELP INCREASE FISH QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THEIR OPERATIONS. SOME MAY FLUSH THEIR DECK AND RECONFIGURE FISH HOLDS TO ACCOMMODATE AN RSW SYSTEM. OTHERS MAY NEED TO REPOWER OR UPGRADE DECK GEAR. THE SET NET FLEET MIGHT WELD IN FISH BINS, OR IF THEIR PRIMARY HARVESTING METHOD IS BY VEHICLE, INSTALL A DUMP BED KIT OR PURCHASE NEW RIMS AND TIRES TO BETTER HANDLE ON THE BEACH. THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE USES OF BBEDC'S VESSEL UPGRADE GRANT. BRISTOL BAY RESIDENT DRIFT OPERATIONS CAN QUALIFY FOR UP TO $35,000, AND LOCAL SET NET OPERATIONS CAN QUALIFY FOR UP TO $17,500 TO HELP OPTIMIZE FISHING OPERATIONS. IN 2022, BBEDC SPENT $277,799 TO HELP SEVENTEEN RESIDENT FISHERS UPGRADE THEIR EQUIPMENTIN-SEASON EMERGENCY PROVISIONTHE IN-SEASON EMERGENCY PROVISION PROVIDES EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR FISHERMEN WITHIN THE VESSEL UPGRADE GRANT PROGRAM. THE PROVISION ASSISTS RESIDENT FISHERS WITH GETTING BACK ON THE WATER IF THEY EXPERIENCE A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE OR DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE DURING THE SEASON. QUALIFYING RESIDENT DRIFT OPERATIONS CAN ACCESS UP TO $35,000, AND QUALIFYING RESIDENT SET NET OPERATIONS CAN ACCESS UP TO $17,500. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED A VESSEL UPGRADE GRANT IN THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE AS THESE PROGRAMS SHARE THE SAME POOL OF FUNDING. IN 2022, BBEDC SPENT $70,000 THROUGH THIS PROVISION TO HELP TWO RESIDENT FISHERS REPLACE THEIR ENGINES AFTER BREAKING DOWN.QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS PROGRAMINSULATED FISH TOTES, SLUSH BAGS, FLEXIBLE SHEET FOAM INSULATION, AND PADDED DECK MATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERS TO HELP ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THEIR FISH AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL TO QUALIFY FOR QUALITY BONUSES FROM FISH PROCESSORS. WITH THE INCREDIBLE BAY WIDE CHILLING EFFORTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE FLEET AND THE BAY'S HISTORICAL RECORD RUN, BBEDC WAS HAPPY TO PROVIDE THESE PRODUCTS WHICH POSITIVELY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF BRISTOL BAY SALMON. IN 2022, BBEDC DISTRIBUTED $19,263 WORTH OF QUALITY ENHANCING PRODUCTS TO TEN RESIDENT FISHERS. RSW PURCHASE PROGRAMDELIVERING HIGH QUALITY FISH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE IMPORTANT IN BRISTOL BAY AND INSTALLING A REFRIGERATED SEA WATER (RSW) SYSTEM CAN HELP FISHERS CHILL THEIR CATCH WITHOUT THE USE OF ICE. RSW SYSTEMS COOL THE WATER IN A VESSEL'S FISH HOLDS TO AN OPTIMUM LOW TEMPERATURE THAT KEEPS THE FISH FRESH. IN TURN, FISHERS DELIVERING PROPERLY CHILLED FISH MAY RECEIVE A CHILLING BONUS FROM THEIR PROCESSOR. THE RSW PURCHASE PROGRAM OFFERS GRANTS OF UP TO $22,000 TO ASSIST QUALIFIED BRISTOL BAY WATERSHED RESIDENT FISHERS WITH THE PURCHASE OF RSW SYSTEMS. PREPARING A VESSEL FOR RSW IS COMPLEX, AND FISHERS MUST HAVE WELL INSULATED FISH HOLDS, ADEQUATE HYDRAULICS, AND PROPER PLUMBING INSTALLED BEFORE BEING APPROVED FOR AN RSW GRANT. BECAUSE OF THIS, RSW PURCHASE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED YEAR-ROUND. SOME FISHERS ALSO CHOOSE TO USE BBEDC'S VESSEL UPGRADE GRANT PROGRAM TO PREPARE THEIR VESSEL FOR AN RSW SYSTEM. IN 2022, BBEDC DISTRIBUTED ONE RSW GRANT OF $22,000. RSW SUPPORT PROGRAMPROPERLY MAINTAINING A REFRIGERATED SEA WATER (RSW) SYSTEM IS ESSENTIAL TO MANY FISHING OPERATIONS IN BRISTOL BAY, SO BBEDC OFFERS ANNUAL GRANTS OF UP TO $1,000 TO HELP RESIDENT COMMERCIAL FISHERS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PRE-SEASON START-UPS, MAINTENANCE, AND WINTERIZATION OF THEIR RSW SYSTEMS. THIS FUNDING CAN ALSO COVER RSW TECHNICIAN TRAVEL COSTS IF FISHERS NEED TO FLY A TECHNICIAN TO THEIR COMMUNITY TO SERVICE A UNIT. IN 2022, TWENTY-THREE RESIDENT FISHERS RECEIVED $17,875 IN GRANT AWARDS TO HELP KEEP THEIR RSW SYSTEMS IN SHIPSHAPE CONDITION. BRISTOL BAY ICE, LLC (BBICE)2022 WAS A RECORD-BREAKING SOCKEYE SALMON SEASON IN BRISTOL BAY. BBEDC'S ICE BARGES, THE BRISTOL MAID AND BRISTOL LADY, WERE ON THE WATER HELPING TO KEEP THE FISH CHILLED. THE BRISTOL MAID WAS STATIONED OFF CLARKS POINT, AND SOLD 644,574 LBS. OF ICE TO FISHERS, AN INCREASE OF 26% FROM 2021. THE BRISTOL LADY SOLD 754,000 LBS. OF ICE IN THE NAKNEK/KVICHAK DISTRICT, A 45% INCREASE FROM 2021. THE INCREASE IN ICE SALES COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE IN FISH AND THE TWO BARGES' ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ICE PRODUCTION. BBICE CONTINUES ITS EFFORT TO PURSUE THE GOAL OF INCREASING THE QUALITY AND EX-VESSEL VALUE OF BRISTOL BAY SALMON AND IS ELATED TO HAVE HELPED ICE THE FISH IN THIS RECORD-BREAKING SEASON.FISHERIES HABITAT PROTECTION GRANT2022 WAS A MONUMENTAL YEAR FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST LARGE SCALE METALLIC MINING IN THE BRISTOL BAY REGION. STARTING WITH A MAJOR PUSH FOR THE EPA TO FINALIZE PERMANENT MEASURES TO PROTECT BRISTOL BAY FROM THE PEBBLE MINE BEFORE THE FISHING SEASON KICKED OFF. ALTHOUGH THE EPA DIDN'T MEET THAT DESIRED TIMELINE, THEY FINALIZED THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO PROHIBIT AND RESTRICT THE USE OF CERTAIN WATERS NEAR THE PEBBLE DEPOSIT IN DECEMBER OF 2022;ULTIMATELY LEADING THEM TO FINALIZE THAT DETERMINATION UNDER SECTION 404(C) OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT ON JANUARY 30, 2023. UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY (UTBB) AND COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN FOR BRISTOL BAY (CFBB) CONTINUED THEIR EXTRAORDINARY WORK TO PROTECT OUR ONE-OF-A-KIND FISHERIES HABITAT AND BBEDC GRANTED THEM EACH $150,000 TO ASSIST IN THEIR VALIANT EFFORTS.SHORE FISH LEASE GRANT PROGRAMA SHORE FISHERY LEASE ISSUED BY THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) CAN ENHANCE THE INCOME POTENTIAL BY PROVIDING CERTAINTY OF ACCESS TO A SITE FOR ELIGIBLE SET NET FISHING RESIDENTS. THE SHORE FISH LEASE GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVE IN THE FORM OF A GRANT OF UP TO $800 FOR RESIDENT SET NET PERMIT HOLDERS TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX AND COST PROHIBITIVE PROCESS OF GAINING A SHORE FISHERY LEASE. A TOTAL OF $800 WAS AWARDED IN GRANTS IN 2022. VESSEL ACQUISITION PROGRAMRESIDENT'S SUCCESS IN THE FISHERY IS DEPENDENT UPON ACCESS TO THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT, WHICH INCLUDES A VESSEL. ENHANCING THE ABILITY OF RESIDENTS TO OBTAIN A COMPETITIVE AND EFFICIENT VESSEL IS THE FOCUS OF THE VESSEL ACQUISITION PROGRAM. VESSEL MAY ALSO MEAN A LICENSABLE TRUCK PROVIDED THAT THE APPLICANT CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT A VEHICLE IS THE PRIMARY VESSEL FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL FISHING OPERATION AT THE POINT OF HARVEST AND DELIVERY. THE PROGRAM CAN PROVIDE A DOWN PAYMENT GRANT, INTEREST SUBSIDY, EQUITY ASSISTANCE, RSW INCENTIVE, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL BUSINESS COUNSELING. APPLICANTS MUST BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A LOAN THROUGH AN ESTABLISHED LENDING INSTITUTE. IN 2022, FOUR RESIDENT DRIFT FISHERS ENTERED THE PROGRAM, BRINGING THE TOTAL CUMULATIVE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO 32. TWENTY-NINE OF THE PARTICIPANTS REMAIN ACTIVE WHILE 3 HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM THE CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT BY BBEDC WAS $392,382 FOR DOWN PAYMENT GRANTS, RSW INCENTIVE AND COMMITTED ANNUAL "SWEAT" EQUITY, AND INTEREST SUBSIDIES. PERMIT LOAN PROGRAMLIMITED ENTRY SALMON PERMITS HELD BY BRISTOL BAY WATERSHED RESIDENTS HAVE DECLINED SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCEPTION IN 1975. THAT DECLINE HAS SEVERELY DIMINISHED THE OVERALL COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHING INCOME GENERATED BY RESIDENTS MAKING OUT-MIGRATION OF PERMITS ONE OF THE MOST DETRIMENTAL ECONOMIC EVENTS IN THE BRISTOL BAY REGION. RETAINING AND RETURNING LIMITED ENTRY PERMITS TO THE REGION CONTINUES TO BE A BBEDC PRIORITY. THE PERMIT LOAN PROGRAM ENHANCES RESIDENTS' ABILITY TO PURCHASE AND SUCCESSFULLY OPERATE A LIMITED ENTRY SALMON PERMIT THROUGH A MENU OF FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INCLUDING LOAN GUARANTEE, DOWN PAYMENT GRANT, INTEREST ASSISTANCE, PRINCIPAL REDUCTION ASSISTANCE, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND/OR TRAINING TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED THROUGH AN EVALUATIVE PROCESS AND THE PROGRAM IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF ALL THE 25 BRISTOL BAY WATERSHED COMMUNITIES. SEVEN NEW PARTICIPANTS WERE ADDED IN 2022 WHICH BROUGHT THE TOTAL CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS TO 73. AS OF 2022, SIXTY-ONE CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. BBEDC INVESTED A TOTAL OF $396,095 FOR NEW ENTRIES, COMMITTED EQUITY ASSISTANCE (SWEAT EQUITY) AND INTEREST SUBSIDY.

FISHING OPERATIONS BBEDC GENERATES ROYALTIES BY CONTRACTING WITH HARVESTING VESSELS AND PROCESSORS FOR A SHARE OF THE REVENUE GENERATED IN THE HARVEST AND SALE OF CDQ AND IFQ ALLOCATIONS. THESE ROYALTIES HELP SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS AND OTHER WORK PROVIDED BY BBEDC.