NSEDC Provides Funding for a Second Energy Subsidy

Special Community Benefit Share Among Funding Decisions at NSEDC Second Quarter Meeting

At their second quarter meeting in Nome in early August, the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Board of Directors declared a special Community Benefit Share in the amount of $1.3 million to allow member community municipalities to provide a second energy subsidy in 2026 of up to $575 for resident households, doubling the typical annual benefit. The decision was made as the region faces record-high fuel prices as the summer season ends.

The funding will allow each of NSEDC's 15 member community municipalities to issue a household subsidy using NSEDC's 2026 Energy Subsidy as a guide. "We know our region and residents have struggled with high energy prices even prior to the spike we are seeing now," said NSEDC Nome Representative James "JT" Sherman. "NSEDC is fortunate to have seen strong returns from our investments in fisheries, such as pollock and crab, which allows us to be able to provide vital assistance to the region. While we know this subsidy will not completely erase the impact of the higher fuel prices, we are hopeful that it will help residents this coming winter."

NSEDC is currently working with the municipalities in member communities which will, in turn, facilitate the subsidy locally. It is expected that payments could be issued to households by mid-September.

Funding Approved for White Mountain Generator Replacement

Through NSEDC's Community Energy Fund (CEF), the Board approved $146,000 toward the purchase of a new generator for the City of White Mountain as it completes a phased project to upgrade and standardize its power generation system. The NSEDC grant will contribute toward the purchase and installation of the 210 kW generator. A shared effort between White Mountain Utilities, the City of White Mountain and the Native Village of White Mountain, the project will ultimately supply the community with three modern generators and an upgraded cooling system.

The CEF is one of NSEDC's long-standing infrastructure grant programs that has allocated $1 million to each of NSEDC's 15 member communities. The CEF aims to assist communities in providing infrastructure that helps bring down the cost of energy for all community residents. "White Mountain has been able to access the Community Energy Fund multiple times to assist with improvements to utility infrastructure over the past 15 years," said NSEDC White Mountain Representative and Board Chairman Dan Harrelson. "Each project that NSEDC has helped bring to fruition has improved the quality of life for the residents of our community."

Grant Funding Approved for the Retention of International Teachers

In response to continued funding cuts and the difficulty faced by the region's two school districts to attract and retain teachers, the NSEDC Board approved funding at the second quarter meeting to assist the districts with sponsoring current international teachers in obtaining permanent resident status. The $630,000 in funding would support the schools in assisting up to five teachers in Nome and 60 in the Bering Strait School District to attain green cards. In return, the teachers would pledge to remain with the districts for a set number of years.

"We have seen the difficulties our schools face when we do not have enough teachers to fill our classrooms," said NSEDC Brevig Mission Representative and Executive Committee Member Frieda Southall. "Ultimately it is our kids who suffer when they do not have teachers. This support from NSEDC will help keep our schools staffed while the districts work on longer-term solutions to address this problem."

It is expected that the process to support the teachers through the permanent residency process could take up to four years.