Rural Housing and Economic Development 1999 Grants

PROJECT SUMMARY: ALASKA

The Metlakatla Indian Community (MIC), in Metlakatla, AK will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Grant in the amount of $500,000. The MIC will use the grant to assist with start-up costs for a plant to bottle and market the tribe's water. The RHED grant will be used for construction of a suitable bottling facility, technical training, and business activities such as determining the best form of organization, setting up an accounting system, and developing a marketing plan. The project will provide economic growth and up to 11 new jobs for residents of the Metlakatla reservation over three years. The Metlakatla Indian Community is contributing $182,283 in land, cash, and administrative services in support of this program.

Contact Person: Tim E. Gilmartin
Grantee Address: P.O. Box 8, Metlakatla, AK 99926
Phone Number: (907) 886-3338

The Alaska Native Village of Tanacross, in Tanacross, AK will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Grant in the amount of $600,000. This program will serve Tanacross, Tok, and the Upper Tanana River Valley. The grant will be used to assist with the renovation and rehabilitation of an abandoned school. The Tanacross tribal village council (TVC) intends to transform the building into a tribally-owned facility that will accommodate a housing manufacturing plant, a job skills training center, and additional classroom and business activities. The housing plant will manufacture affordable houses using locally obtainable resources. The year-long renovation is expected to create at least 12 jobs, with 15 new jobs created upon completion of the plant. The TVC is coordinating resources available through Indian Housing Block Grants, CPMG, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Native Services program. This project has over $300,000 in other federal, state, local, and private dollars. Partners include Tanacross, Inc., the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and Local 942 of the Laborers' International Union of North America.

Contact Person: Glenn Dailey
Grantee Address: P.O. Box 9, Tanacross, AK 99776
Phone Number: (907) 883-5024

Content Archived: January 20, 2009