The project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022.
“Like many communities in the region, Nome continues to recover from the impacts of Typhoon Merbok,” notes US Senator Lisa Murkowski. “This investment from the EDA will promote energy security and economic opportunity for the Sitnasuak Native Corporation, the town of Nome, and the broader region.”
Cristina Killingsworth, EDA’s deputy assistant secretary for policy and external affairs, agrees. “The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to support locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency efforts,” Killingsworth says. “This project will provide critical infrastructure improvements to help ensure economic resilience in Nome.”
Sitnasuak estimates that the grant will help retain 817 jobs and generate $5 million in private investment.