The goals presented below were identified through discussion with local business and residents, on current challenges and limitation for growth in the Denali Borough.
While not all issues affect all communities equally, there are common components. Providing economic growth and diversity requires many things: land for development and housing, housing for employees and entrepreneurs, an available and qualified workforce, support services for businesses, and amenities and services for residents. Any of these can be a limitation on its own, but the Denali Borough faces challenges in all of these areas.
Problem solving for our economic health and development means addressing all of these components in some way. Some issues may resolve themselves. As land is made availalble for housing, the workforce will grow. As the resident population increases, services are likely to come. But the interconnection of each piece can’t be ignored. Thus, the work of the Denali Chamber, and now the Denali Community Foundation, needs to focus on large scale impact that will lift the Borough as whole, to provide opportunity for residents and the private sector.
It is important to note that each community within the Denali Borough has its own priorities, concerns and goals. The Denali Community Foundation will ensure these community based elements are at the forefront of each project we take on. It is our hope that there are organizations and entities in each community willing to tackle these needs beside us.
Finally, it is important to note, that these goals are not static. We live in a dynamic world with dynamic opportunity. So if the right circumstances present themselves, we will respond accordingly – including partnering with other nonprofits, organizations, or Tribal entities to meet their needs for the Denali Borough residents they serve.
Broad Organizational Goals
Goal 1: Transition Executive Director from half-time to full-time employment.
Reasoning: Position has average 20 hours per week over the last eight years. The limited hours, which is a direct result of payroll capabilities create an obstacle for further growth and additional member service.
Effect: Increased capacity for member services and Denali Borough and community support. Ability to work on additional goals listed.
Action: Secure funding for increased payroll. Estimated to be $35,000 annually. This can be accomplished through a variety of avenues: growing member service incomes, grant funding, direct stakeholder support, increased dues or fundraising revenue through Denali Chamber.
Goal 2: Executive Director complete training for economic development, workforce development, grant writing, and foundation financial management.
Reasoning: The growth of the Foundation programs and plans requires strong understanding of intricacies of these arenas, especially with how they relate to rural Alaska.
Effect: Increased organizational efficiency in securing grant funding, designing relevant programs and collaboration with partnership entities.
Action: Secure funding for cost of training programs and temporary associated increased payroll.
Specific Organizational Goals
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Goal E1:
Complete Comprehensive Economic Development Study (CEDS)
Reasoning: There is no current in-depth comprehensive economic development data specific to the Denali Borough and its respective communities. Additionally, a CEDS is required for us to create a local economic development district (EDD) which creates avenues for Economic Development Administration (EDA) and other Federal funding opportunites.
Effect: Information for Denali Borough planning and management, accurate and relevant data for businesses, lenders and applicants, nonprofit and other entities.
Action: Partner with Denali Borough and contractor, to complete CEDS within 12 months of start date.
Goal E2: Building on goals E1 and W1, in partnership with the Denali Borough, begin application to the EDA for recognition as an EDD (Economic Development District).
Reasoning: This opens up avenues for Federal funding, especially EDA funding for Boroughwide projects and development support. A sample project for which we are currently seeking funding is a community well. EDA has specific “Access to Clean Water” funding streams, which an EDD recognition can help secure.
Effect: Increasing the opportunity for infrastructure, recreation and development projects, without significant financial burden to the Denali Borough, or Denali Community Foundation.
Action: Work with the Denali Borough and contractor, to facilitate completion of application within 12 months of start date.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Goal W1:
Complete Denali Borough Housing study.
Reasoning: Housing continues to be a significant issues for residents of all communities. Availabillty of housing is scarce, rental prices are high, housing without needed amenities is prevelant, large numbers of housing units have been removed from the market due to nightly rentals. Numerous companies face difficulty fully staffing positions, or retaining employees due to housing challenges. Expansion of current seasonal businesses face limitations due to lack of additional rentals.
Effect: Having an assessment of the number of new units needed, the types of units needed to provide for interested builders and developers is critical. Having data for the amount of subpar housing provides the opportunity for grant applications for qualifying home rehabilitation.
Action: Work with the Denali Borough and contractor to facilitate completion within 12 months of start date. A recent housing study of certain Alaska communities can be view here.
Goal W2: Establish Denali Upskill Acquistion Program
Reasoning: Upskilling is difficult for skilled positions for two reasons. First, the lost wages to support basic necessities (rent, utilities, food, etc) during the transitional training period and the expense of temporary relocation for the training (accommodations, food, gas, etc).
Effect: With short term financial bridge assistance, this program could support established Borough residents in retraining to meet a service need or minimum hiring requirement. (Ex: appliance repair, certified handyman, CDL’s, heating and cooling, etc.)
Action: Identify annual fund contributors and establish investment, application and distribution processes.
Note: This program is likely to be a hybrid of reimbursement on completion and support for travel, lost wages, etc during the transition. Distribution will be need based.
Grant and workforce development funding will also be persued for this goal.
Goal W3: Establish Denali Community Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Reasoning: Retaining and attracting youth in our communities is critical to create a well-rounded community, that grows and provides a broad base for needed services, opportunities and well-living.
Note: Inspired by the book “13 Ways to Kill Your Community” by Dough Griffiths, and in particular Chapter 3: Don’t Engage Your Youth. This scholarship would require an essay on this Chapter, asking the applicant to envision how they could potentially return home and make a difference in their community, based on the skills or knowledge they acquired.
Effect: Perhaps something as simple as saying “Go experience the world, then come home and make a difference” will encourage our youth to examine the things they love about their home, and how they could return with their new knowledge and skill to create a life of meaning here.
Action: Identify annual and one time fund contributors, establish investment and distribution processes.
Goal W4: Establish and Implement a Community Job assistance hub
Reasoning: To assist members of the community with all aspects of finding, applying for and being skilled for new or a change in employment.
Affect: Provide support to those for without computer/internet access, comuter literacy skills, or prerequisite knowledge to successfully upskill or transition to new employment opportunities, meeting the needs of the business community.
Action: Create process and resources guide for job seekers, and provide monthly free in-person assistance to individuals.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Goal C1:
Complete Community Well at Denali Chamber Building
Reasoning: High flow, public access to potable water is not currently available. This has been a request of the public, as many of the current sources are not open to everyone, or not safely accessible, or take a very lengthy amount of time due to pump capabilities.
Effect: Provide public access to clean, potable water.
Action: Initial survey of the Denali Chamber lot has been completed. We need to secure grant funding for the next stage, which is design of engineering plans for pump system, water treatment requirements, relocation of septic system OR drilling of new well, to account for increased requirements for public water system.
Additional Action: Potentially expand facility to include dedicated kitchen space for Neighbor to Neighbor for food storage, preparation and preservation.
Goal C2: Continue to support the Denali Borough in their applications for community development projects. Examine DCF opportunities for community development projects.
Reasoning: Many grant applications have the ability for letters of support, or a partnership role from a CBO (community based organization). This support is often required to establish through independent channels, that there is community need and support for projects.
Effect: Projects such as Antler Ridge Trailhead, the widening of the Healy Spur Road, and non-motorized pathways are all projects within this scope. Continuing to apply for federal and state funding for local recreation and safety, allows us to complete projects that might otherwise be impossible.
Action: Continue to work closely with the Denali Borough Community Outreach Coordinator, in support of their projects. Examine grants and partnership opportunities for large scale non-municipal projects such as a recreation center, business development center or public park.
Note: A joint $17.9 million dollar grant application between the Denali Borough and Denali Community Foundation was submitted to the EDA for a Community Change Grant. This grant contained major upgrades for all district schools, and the McKinley Village and Tri-Valley Fire Department facilities. The grant could not have been applied for without this joint partnership.
As potential projects and programs are identified, they will be added to this page.
Updates on all goals will be recorded here.