October 4, 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $562,571 grant to the city of Chevak, Alaska, to support local job creation efforts. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 12 jobs and generate $406,000 in private investment.
“We commend the city of Chevak for taking advantage of its prime location to attract visitors to see its beautiful natural resources,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs Dennis Alvord. “This project will help spur plans to expand the local tourism sector while attracting other industries that can help make the community self-sufficient and successful.”
This project entails the renovation of a 2,816 square-foot building into a 10-room hotel that will help the city capitalize on its advantageous location in the Yukon Delta Wildlife Refuge. Activities like bird-watching, eco-tourism and cultural tourism will attract new visitors and businesses to the area, creating jobs and strengthening the local economy.
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.