What KEDC has delivered for Kodiak
KEDC is a small nonprofit with one staff member and a volunteer board. We bring partners and outside funding to Kodiak's hardest problems, then keep the work moving until something changes. Here is what that has produced so far, and what still needs doing.
How does KEDC work? Read How KEDC Serves Kodiak.
At a glance
What one staff member, a volunteer board and a lot of partners have added up to.
from partners and local businesses for every $1 from the City
Storefront Improvement Program: the City's $15,000 brought in $94,285 more, $15,000 from KANA and $79,285 from 5 local businesses.
in grants and partner funding for current Kodiak projects
private wells tested at no cost to homeowners, 97 households waiting
students asked for 3 paid internships
people at the 2026 Kodiak Workforce Forum
business leaders, representing about 3,500 workers, shaped our Business Climate Analysis
Grants and partner funding for current Kodiak projects. City support gives KEDC the staff capacity to compete for and manage funding like this:
- Denali Commission, $95,000: the Kodiak Housing Action Plan
- USDA FY24 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG), $80,000: mariculture business planning, including at-sea kelp processing
- Southeast Conference, $205,000: WildSource's processing business plan and facility engineering
- KANA, $15,000: matched the City's $15,000 for the Storefront Improvement Program
Beyond that funding, KEDC brought $357,000 in community investment to Kodiak through RCAC: USDA-funded workshops, technical assistance and housing support. RCAC's investment funded workshops, technical assistance and programs delivered directly to Kodiak residents and businesses.
Done so far, and still needed
Safe Drinking Water
$11,250
secured for well assessments and water testing at no cost to 15 Kodiak homeowners
What's done
- KEDC brought RCAC's EPA-funded well program to Kodiak and ran the outreach and scheduling with its own staff time
- 15 properties received well assessments and water testing at no cost to the homeowner, a savings of $750 per household ($11,250 in all, not counted in the $395,000)
Still needed
97 households are on the waitlist; a second round is planned for early 2027
How you can help: Join the waitlist, or help fund round two
Housing
1 plan, 200+ voices
The Kodiak Housing Action Plan, now in motion
What's done
- Kodiak Housing Action Plan completed with the UA Center for Economic Development, funded by a $95,000 Denali Commission grant
- Public housing dashboard
- Village visits to Port Lions and Ouzinkie, a meeting with Tangirnak (Woody Island) Tribal leaders, and a Kodiak Marketplace kiosk in July 2025.
- Housing Action Partnership reconvened October 2026
- Plan selected for the statewide Alaska Planning Conference, December 2026
Still needed
Borough policy for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), targeted for January to March 2027; ready-to-use ADU plans designed for Kodiak; funding for both
How you can help: Join the Housing Action Partnership
Workforce and Students
43 students asked
for 3 paid Work Local internships, KEDC's first, starting November 2026
What's done
- 2026 Workforce Forum and public report
- Business Climate Analysis
- Career Expo, after which two graduating seniors moved into jobs
- Work Local, KEDC's first paid internship, starting November 2026
Still needed
Spring opportunities for the students we couldn't hire; more employers to host site visits and job shadows; sponsors
How you can help: Sponsor Work Local or host a site visit
Mariculture
$285,000
secured for mariculture and local processing business planning
What's done
- KEDC secured and manages a $205,000 Southeast Conference grant funding WildSource's processing business plan and facility engineering, and organizes the partner meetings that keep the work moving
- An $80,000 USDA FY24 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) funded mariculture business planning with the UA Center for Economic Development, including a study of whether at-sea kelp processing could work for Kodiak Ocean Growers
Still needed
A second business plan, now underway
How you can help: Contact us about processing and workforce needs
Mariculture in action
From plans to a building permit
WildSource wants to process kelp right here in Kodiak, so more of the value of island-grown seaweed stays on the island. KEDC manages a Southeast Conference agreement that funds R&M Engineering's design work for the facility. This fall the engineers surveyed the site and finished stamped civil, structural and architectural plans. They also helped file a parking variance and a building permit application with the City of Kodiak. Bid documents are ready so local contractors can bid on the building shell. Mariculture is moving from idea to a shovel-ready site.
“It was especially valuable to see the level of collaboration and innovation taking place around workforce development, kelp processing, and long-term industry growth.”
Interested in Kodiak's mariculture work? Contact KEDC
Downtown Revitalization
$79,285
of their own money added by 5 businesses, on top of $30,000 in matching funds
What's done
- Storefront Improvement Program: $15,000 from the City and $15,000 from KANA
- 5 local businesses improved their storefronts
Still needed
30+ more businesses have asked to take part; a second round needs funding
How you can help: Fund or co-fund a second round
Partners and supporters
Kodiak's progress is a shared effort
These organizations have invested in our work, sponsored our events and worked alongside us. Thank you.
Core partner
City of Kodiak
The City's support makes possible KEDC's core economic development work: business support, the Storefront Improvement Program, housing planning, economic reports and the annual Workforce Forum.
Visit the City of Kodiak See our City partnershipGrants that funded the work
What each grant made possible in Kodiak.
Denali Commission The Kodiak Housing Action Plan
Northrim Bank Housing Action Plan coordination, with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund
RCAC Workshops, technical assistance and programs delivered directly to Kodiak residents and businesses
Southeast Conference WildSource kelp processing engineering, moving Kodiak's mariculture work toward a shovel-ready planUSDARural DevelopmentUSDA Rural Development Mariculture business support, including an at-sea processor business plan and processing plans2026 Kodiak Workforce Forum
Industry Leader Sponsors
Workforce Partners and Community Supporters
The Emerging Industry Spotlight: Mariculture in Kodiak was supported by Southeast Conference and USDA Rural Development. Special thanks to KANA event staff.
Work Local
Founding Homeport Sponsor
Koniag is the first Homeport Sponsor of Work Local, KEDC's paid student internship.
Community partners
Join them
Partner with KEDC
Join the organizations above in moving Kodiak forward. Here are three ways to start, and we're glad to talk about others.
Figures from KEDC's September 2026 report to the Kodiak City Council and current program records. Last updated: October 30, 2026.