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Dear Chamber Members,
Finally, there are those fireweed blossoms we’ve been looking for all July! Summer in Alaska always feels frenetic for business owners as we try to balance the chance to recreate, take advantage of seasonal income from tourism, and plan for the return of slower fall days.
For me, I was able to travel with a staff member to attend two separate trainings in July, bringing back inspiration and new knowledge for Next Step Dance Kodiak, to make our studio even more dynamic when classes start again. The Chamber of Commerce also has a busy and exciting schedule ahead. For example, our candidate forums for the upcoming elections are a key part of our commitment to keeping our community informed and engaged. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our local government, and we encourage everyone to attend these forums, get educated, ask questions about real issues affecting our community and state.
At the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to supporting our local economy and business community. We provide resources and opportunities for networking, professional development, and business growth. Our goal is to support a robust economic landscape where local businesses can flourish and contribute to the overall prosperity of our island. Did you know that small businesses can provide insurance to their employees through the Chamber? That’s just one of the many tangible benefits the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce can provide to employers and businesses in our community. Please feel free to call or stop by the chamber to find out what other opportunities you might not even be aware of that we can help you with!
We understand that the current economic landscape can seem daunting, especially with the recent surprising closures of processors and the late or reduced salmon runs in our fishing areas. These challenges affect us all, but by coming together and supporting one another, the Chamber can help our island community navigate difficult times and emerge stronger.
On a lighter note, we are thrilled to welcome new families from the US Coast Guard and the dedicated new teachers of the Kodiak Island Borough School District (KIBSD) to our community. Your presence enriches our island, providing us with a wonderful opportunity to welcome new neighbors and create a stronger, more diverse community. Kodiak's strength lies in the safety net we provide one another, so thank you for your continued support and involvement.
All the best for getting all the sunshine, salmon berries, and fish to fill your freezers before fall,
Mary Beth
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE | |
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Dear Chamber Members,
I hope that your summer is going well and in the midst of running and managing our Kodiak businesses and nonprofit organizations you are able to enjoy as much of our beautiful island as you possibly can. I myself am so thankful for berries to pick, salmon in our smoker, and our recent abundance of sunshine.
Last Wednesday our community celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Tustumena with an excellent turnout and cooperative weather. Thank you so much to everyone who spoke, helped, performed, coordinated, attended, volunteered and especially to Captain John and Crew of the Tustumena, Amanda and the Ferry Terminal Staff, and Representative Stutes for working to make this a great community event!
As you look through this month's newsletter you will see that Ericka has been working hard to give it a fresh, updated clean new look. I hope you enjoy the changes. Scroll down for articles on the Alutiiq Museum Renovation and PND Engineers.
At the Chamber we have numerous events in the works for the next few months starting with a Business After Hours at Northrim Bank next week. I hope you can make time to join us at Northrim on Tuesday the 20th from 5:30 to 7pm.
From now through September 6th we are accepting theme ideas for Crab Fest 2025, this will be our 67th year. If you’d like to submit a theme idea or want more information on past Crab Fest themes please reach out to Linda at chamber@kodiakchamber.org.
By early September we will launch a Fall Holiday Raffle with a nice variety of cash prizes and a chance to win 2 Round Trip Tickets on Alaska Airlines. Ticket sales will close out on November 25th and winners will be drawn on the 26th just in time for the holidays.
Our Annual Meeting & Dinner will be at the Afognak Center on Saturday, October 26th. This year’s theme is a “Chamber Hollywood Night”. Look for more details and info on how to get tickets very soon! Information on this year’s Chamber Board Elections and our Annual Awards Nominations will go out within the next week. This year we have 3 Board Seats up for election. If it's something you've thought about doing but haven't been sure, please consider running for the Board.
Last month I mentioned that the Chamber will be sending you a link to a Kodiak Small Business Survey that we will conduct annually. We’ve modeled our survey after the Alaska Small Business Development Corporation’s annual Small Business Survey. You'll find the link to the survey in this newsletter.
Like so many communities large and small across the country, our businesses face challenges when it comes to hiring, housing and other related issues. Being a remote island in Alaska can intensify the challenges that we face. As managers, business owners, and operators; as leaders, it is up to us to set our focus on what we can do, where we need to grow, to look at what is good and brimming with potential, to look for the opportunities, and work together.
In closing I'd like to give a couple of shout outs. The first one goes to KEDC, the City of Kodiak and KANA for the Storefront Improvement Program and the positive transformations taking place in downtown Kodiak. Yesterday I was thrilled to see the stunning new paint job on the Kodiak Jacks building owned by Jack Schactler and Mavis Pruitt! For the second one I'd like to recognize and welcome Davis Hovey, News Director at KMXT for his excellent coverage on local news stories like his recent the one on "How the Coast Guard and Kodiak Municipalities plan to house 200 more residents". These are just a couple examples of many positives happening this community.
Thank you for your membership and continued support of the Chamber, our events and programs.
Please reach out to Ericka, Linda or I via email and let us know if you would like us to share something about your business or organization in our next newsletter.
Best Regards,
Ellen Simeonoff
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What's Going on in August? | |
2024 Economic & Community Insight Survey | |
2024 Kodiak Small Business Economic & Community Insight Survey | |
New this month is the Kodiak Small Business Survey that we will conduct annually. With the intent that this can give us a better indication of what the current local challenges are, what our strengths are, how successful the Kodiak business community is each year and how the Chamber can better serve our members through educational and training opportunities. The deadline to complete the survey is September 30th. | | | |
2024 Fisheries Debate Sponsorship | |
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Only Two Weeks Left to Sign Up for Fisheries Debate Sponsorship!
The Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, would like to extend an invitation to a sponsorship opportunity for the upcoming 2024 Kodiak Fisheries Debate.
Contact Ericka at crd@kodiakchamber.org to learn more.
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Reach out if you would like to place an Ad for 2025! | |
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The 2024 Relocation Guides have been placed in strategic locations such as the Airport, Hotels, the Tustumena, the Coast Guard Welcome Fair, Base Guest Housing, and other offices where everyone's listing and business information will be seen by incoming and newly relocated individuals.
The Relocation Guide is availably digitally on the website
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2024 Photo Contest is OPEN | |
2024 Summer Litter Patrol Comes to an end! | | |
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The final day of Litter Patrol was Friday, Aug 9th. | Thank you so much to the wonderful youth who have worked so hard and diligently this summer. They will surely be given high recommendations for future employment. This year our Litter Patrol Team collected over 215 bags of trash. | |
For several decades the Chamber has found great reward in operating this program, giving young motivated teens an introduction to employment while benefiting the Kodiak community simultaneously. It's a huge win win! | |
Small Business Collaboration Group | | |
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The Chamber's Small Business Collaboration Group's next meeting is set for Tuesday, August 27th, at 9am in the Chamber conference room. Look for an upcoming email invitation. Email ellen@kodiakchamber.org if you'd like to attend in person or via zoom.
The Group's mission is to support an environment of success for small business through collaboration, communication, and education.
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Monthly Chamber Board Meeting | |
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- Wednesday, August 21st
- 11:30 am
- Kodiak Chamber Conference Room
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Non Profit Network Meeting | | |
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Come Attend!
- 2nd Wednesday every month
- 1:30 pm
- Chamber Conference room
facebook page
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This group is open to Kodiak nonprofit executive directors, program managers, and staff members. Kodiak Nonprofit Network has been meeting regularly for over 30 years.
We support each other, we collaborate, we ask for help or ideas. Please share program updates, local issues, funding opportunities, questions, and anything else that pertains to nonprofit life.
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Northrim Business After Hours | |
Join the Chamber at our next Business After Hours on Tuesday, August 20th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm and connect with Northrim's Board of Directors and Executive Team, and network with fellow Kodiak business associates while enjoying light refreshments and drinks. | |
Prize drawing for 20,000 Alaska Airline Miles, Door Prizes & Split the Pot! | | |
Kodiak Rodeo & State Fair | |
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Friday, August 30th - Concert with Ken Peltier and local artists!
Buy your tickets now!!
Friday, August 30th - Concert with Ken Peltier and local artists!
Saturday, August 31st - Day 1
Sunday, September 1st - Day 2
Faceook Event Link
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Revitalizing Heritage: The Alutiiq Museum's $14 Million Transformation
Currently based in a cozy storefront within the Kodiak Marketplace during its renovation, the Alutiiq Museum has pursued its mission to preserve and share the vibrant heritage of the Alutiiq people for over 29 years. With a collection of approximately 250,000 objects, and hosting thousands of visitors annually, the museum has outgrown its current space. It’s now focused on expanding to better serve Kodiak.
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PND Engineers: Pioneering Infrastructure in Kodiak | PND Engineers have been pivotal in advancing Kodiak's infrastructure, with recent involvement in several key projects. Currently, they are designing the new Kodiak Fire Station, developing plans for dock maintenance and repairs at various city-owned docks, and designing a replacement for the aging boat launch in St. Paul Harbor. PND also routinely provides civil, structural, and marine work for the nearby United States Coast Guard Base. | | | | |
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Alaska Economic Trends
Alaska Economic Trends is a monthly magazine that covers a broad range of economic issues.
Click the link above to view the current electronic magazine, search articles and archives, and sign up for a FREE electronic subscription.
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POST YOUR JOB ON THE CHAMBER WEBSITE
Email us your job listing and we can share them on our online Job Board, post them on our social media, and include them in our monthly e-newsletter. You can also easily upload your job listings through the Member Portal yourself.
Contact the Chamber office for more details! 907-486-5557 or email chamber@kodiakchamber.org.
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Share what's happening at your business through Chamber News & Views!
Chamber News & Views is a weekly, two-minute, pre-recorded radio segment that airs on KVOK & HOT 101.1
Each segment spotlights one of our local Chamber Members and is recorded at the KVOK studio.
What is Discussed? Maybe you have a sale coming up, or a new menu, or want to let the community know about a new feature, event or changes at your business. We will help guide your message, but anything business-related is fair game!
Who Can Take Advantage? Any Chamber Member is able to take advantage of this unique promotional opportunity. Anyone from the organization can be interviewed. You choose the direction and goal you'd like to accomplish and we will work with you to achieve it! This is a completely FREE service we provide for our Chamber Members.
How Do I Get Started? Contact us, via email, stop by the office, or call (907) 486-5557 to schedule an interview by calling the Chamber office.
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Access Your Membership Portal!
We want our members to get the most out of our online directory and resources by updating their membership listing with the most current contact information for the Kodiak Chamber's website! Login to your member portal or call (907) 486-5557 or email chamber@kodiakchamber.org to get your online portal set up today!
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Alaska Small Business Development Center | Visit https://aksbdc.org/ for more On Demand Workshops and More! | |
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Workshops & On-Demand Classes
- Combating Fraud & Identity Theft
- Creating a Compelling Commercialization Plan
- Avoiding Security Disasters for Small Businesses
- SBA Loans & What the Lender Requires
- Digital Marketing Trends
- Beginner's Guide Sell Your Products on Etsy
- Credit It is that important
- ADA Law What Businesses Should Know
- Financial Health of Your Business
- Anatomy of Modern Websites
- Bookkeeping Basics
- Creating Financial Projections for your Business Plan
- Developing a Marketing/Sales Strategy
- How to get a Business License in Alaska
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Chamber Offers Health Care for Members | |
As a Chamber Member, you and your employees have access to excellent health care insurance. Participation is available through Associated Industries, whose mission is to provide comprehensive healthcare products to Alaska employers at affordable prices.
Please email us for more information.
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THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS
- Munsey's Bear Camp
- Zen Business
- Aksala Electronics
- Alaska Meat Company
- The Alutiiq Museum
- GCI
- Axio Insurance
- Matson
- Koniag
- Kodiak Island Family Dentistry
If we missed you , we sincerely apologize. Please let us know.
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New & Renewing Pike Sponsors | |
If you're interested in becoming a PIKE Sponsor let us know. | |
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Reach out to Ellen at 907-486-5557 or email ellen@kodiakchamber.org.
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THANK YOU TO OUR PIKE SPONSORS | | |
Interested in becoming a member?
The Chamber Membership gives your organization the tools and support it needs to succeed. With access to business resources, educational materials, advocacy,
networking opportunities, and much more...
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President Mary Beth Loewen
Past President Jeff Sanford
Vice President Linnea Johnson
Secretary/Treasurer: Sara Fraser
Board Members
Lindsay Knight, Robert Greene, Emily Stewart, Nichole Rohde, Hailey Ivanoff, Tyler Wallace, & Nick Mangini
City of Kodiak Representative
Josie Bahnke
Kodiak Island Borough Representative Aimee Williams
USCG Base Representative
Capt. Jeremy Hall
USCG Air Station Representative Capt.Timothy Williams
KEA Representative Dan Menth
Discover Kodiak Representative
Brock Simmons
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Play Pull Tabs @ Henry's!! | | |
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CHAMBER STAFF
Administrative Assistant: Linda Hartle
Community Relations Director: Ericka Thompson
Executive Director: Ellen Simeonoff
CONTACT US
Phone: (907) 486 5557
www.KodiakChamber.org
chamber@KodiakChamber.org
crd@kodiakchamber.org
ellen@kodiakchamber.org
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