Storefront Improvement Program Grant Awardees Announced
Sunrise Studio owner, Manya Wandersee, is one of five Storefront Improvement Program awardees for the first cycle of matching funds grants. Wandersee plans to help patrons with access as well as beautify the studios entryway.
Kodiak Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), in partnership with the Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA), and the City of Kodiak, developed the Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) to help continue to revitalize Kodiak’s Downtown by creating a matching grant program for Downtown businesses.
“Visitors first experience our Downtown Kodiak from the street. Crafting an attractive streetscape view is vital for creating a favorable perception of the area, encouraging people to spend time downtown and patronize businesses.” KEDC Associate Director Melissa Schoenwether shared. “Current information shows that two seemingly opposing trends are occurring: Consumers are increasing their online purchases yet searching for more goods and services they can buy locally.”
She went on to explain, “What that means for Downtown Kodiak is our downtown has a competitive advantage – consumers are increasing value experiences over transactions. KEDC partnered with KANA and the City of Kodiak to encourage the mindset of investing our resources to give our community the best, most beautiful and accessible, experience downtown. Shopping locally should be top of mind because it is convenient and a great experience inside and out!”
The program was announced September 2023 with applications accepted through the first week of December. The SIP Application Review Committee, comprised of Josie Bahnke representing the City of Kodiak, Greg Zadina representing KANA, and SIP coordinator Melissa Schoenwether representing KEDC, met to evaluate the applications.
Awardees are:
Business: Cactus Flats, Owner: Dean Brown
Business: AEM Enterprises, LLC, Owner: Daniel Rohrer
Business: Sunrise Studio, LLC, Owner: Manya Wandersee
Business: Kodiak Jacks, LLC, Owner: Jack Schactler and Mavis Pruitt
Business: MSR Rentals, LLC, Owner: Steven Pillans
The SIP successfully leveraged this public-private venture, more than doubling the investment made to exceed $60,000:
SIP award totals: $28,096.35
Private Investment: $34,345.63
Combined Investment: $62,441.98
Based on the success of this first Storefront Improvement Program, KEDC will work towards the creation of a second matching fund grant opportunity for the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Kodiak. “The Storefront Improvement Program has been extremely well received by businesses and community leaders. We are encouraged to see that the initial investment by our partners, the City of Kodiak and KANA, has been met and exceeded by the program participants,” KEDC Executive Director John Whiddon explained. “The $28,000 of grant funds have been leveraged into a combined $62,000 of projects that will benefit both the businesses and our downtown. KEDC’s efforts to reinvigorate this downtown revitalization effort will be further enhanced through participation with MainStreet America.”
KEDC spoke with Dan Rohrer in front of his Central Avenue Commercial Building to congratulate him on his SIP grant award. Rohrer plans to make improvements, such as better access for patrons, as well as signage to help those businesses upstairs be top of mind for customers shopping in the downtown area.
