August 27, 2003
Wednesday - 12:30 am

During the past year, the Tongass National Forest awarded 15 economic recovery grants totaling more than $185,000 to Southeast Alaska communities under the Forest Service Economic Recovery Program.

"These grants help local communities develop and diversify their economies," said Olleke Rappe-Daniels, Deputy Forest Supervisor. "We are pleased to be a partner in these efforts that help make Southeast Alaska communities economically stronger and healthier."

The Economic Recovery Program provides technical and financial assistance to communities located near National Forests that are dependent on natural resources. It helps communities that are economically distressed due to public land decisions or policy changes. It also serves as a catalyst to help communities develop broad-based, energized local-action teams. The Forest Service is a member of the team to develop, and implement a local-action plan.

The Economic Recovery Grant funds for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 were recently made available and were awarded to the following communities:

• Geo-technical Survey Aquarium Tongass Coast Aquarium, City of Ketchikan - $20,000
• Cold Storage and Fish Buying Station Renovation for the City of Angoon - $20,000
• Coffman Cove Municipal Land Planning - $15,000
• Small Boat Launch Engineering for the City of Hydaburg - $6,000
• Totem Restoration for the Community of Klawock - $10,000
• Moorage Facilities for the Whale Pass Community Association - $15,000
• Cold Storage Feasibility Study, City of Wrangell - $15,000
• North Prince of Wales Information Brochure/Website for the City of Coffman Cove - $9,750
• City of Hoonah Harbor Improvements - $14,000
• Naukati West Community Association Community Strategic Action Plan - $6,050
• Petersburg Economic Development Council Freight Consolidation Study - $8,000
• Welcome and Orientation Sign Plaza, City of Thorne Bay - $8,000
• Community Buildings Upgrade/Library Internet Equipment, Whale Pass Community Association - $8,000
• Engineering Design for Mooring Dolphin, City of Wrangell - $10,000
• Facilitation for Nolan Center Sustainability, City of Wrangell - $1,700
• Comprehensive Development Plan Update, City of Yakutat - $19,000

For more information about Economic Recovery Programs available through the Tongass National Forest, call George Doyle, Partnership and Rural Community Assistance Coordinator, at 907-772-3841.

Source of News Release:

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Web Site

 

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