Greetings from CLNC!
Thank you once again for taking the time to read one of our newsletters. It is so amazing how fast and yet so slow this past year has gone by. We hope that this finds you well and that this past year has been more positive than negative. Even though the winter has seemed to hold on a little longer this year, we look forward to spring!
In March 2022, the Board is planning to hold its annual CLNC Board Summit to review the strategic plan and the financials along with the FY23 budget for both CLNC and Mallard Duck Bay. One of our core values in the strategic plan continues to be respectful of the land and our culture while generating revenue for the corporation business.
With more federal funding now available to protect land, especially with the Great American Outdoors Act, we can revisit the possibility of protecting select CLNC lands through the sale of fee interests or conservation easements on specific tracts of land.
We are currently looking at land on Chignik Island and along the Alec River for potential conservation. If these conservation transactions are completed, these two tracts of land would be protected from any future development but access would be preserved for CLNC shareholders.
Lately, we have been exploring ways to expand economic development in the Chignik Lagoon area and share our research with the Chignik Lagoon Tribe.
It is our hope to join efforts to increase the chances of receiving grants/funding from the state and federal agencies to support projects that will benefit our community.
CLNC now has official signs outside the Chignik Lagoon office!
Starlink Internet
Internet and phone connection continue to be a constant roadblock for the community of Chignik Lagoon and it also very much hinders business communications. We have signed up for Starlink service in hopes that this will provide a much more reliable connection. In the meantime, we are looking for funding sources for broadband improvement in rural areas.
MDB Operations Report
There have been a few welcome changes within our subsidiary and we are moving full steam ahead in our 8(a) government contracting as well as non 8(a) contracting. We would like to welcome Benjamin English as our new CEO of Mallard Duck Bay Enterprises, LLC. Ben has been assisting MDB for the past 6 months on the business development side where he was able to connect us with a great partnership in southern Texas. Ben's past work experience includes 20 plus years in government contracting on the construction side. We are happy to have him on board and so far we have obtained bonding and we have also applied for a general contracting license with the State of Alaska.
Our previous CEO, Betty Huntington, will continue to be on board supporting MDB with as-needed consulting services.
Working alongside Ben is our newly hired Senior Project Manager, Justin Dunn. Justin became part of the MDB family on November 29th of 2021. He also has a lot of experience in government contracting that includes quality projects within the state and in the lower 48.
We have continued to work with the Tribe of Chignik Lagoon and recently responded to their Request for Proposals for maintenance projects within the village.
As announced at our annual meeting we were awarded our first sole-source contract from the government at the renowned Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
We continue to work closely with BBNC’s IGC program, they have extended our agreement to June of 2022 to guide MDB in their growth. We are also happy to report that we are HUBZone certified.
CLNC created a sister 8(a) company named MDB Constructors, LLC and a holding company named MDB Holdings, LLC.
Community Corner
Commercial Salmon Fishery Disaster
Update: Disaster funds for 2018 are now available through Pacific States Marine Fishery Commission. Crew members for the year 2018 have until March 8 to apply.
Recently, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced 14 disaster declarations for Alaska fisheries. This includes one for the Chignik fishery for 2020. The Lake and Peninsula Borough is also asking the state to declare a disaster for the Chignik fishery for 2021.
For more information you can visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/funding-and-financial-services/fishery-disaster-determinations
COVID-19
Chignik Lagoon Village Council has been continually updating village ordinances regarding travel and quarantine procedures. Before traveling to Chignik Lagoon please notify the Chignik Lagoon clinic of your travels. For more information regarding CLVC's ordinances see their website at http://chigniklagoon.net/whats-new.html.
State of Alaska Resources
The State of Alaska has a website set up with all the COVID-19 information for the state. The site includes data and trends, information about the vaccine and eligibility for the vaccine, information on how to protect yourself and others, what to do if you’re sick, community resources and information on Alaska’s response to the virus. http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
The CDC has so much information on the CoronaVirus. You can visit their site for information on prevention, masks, and information on the vaccines at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The CDC also has a data tracker that will show your county anywhere in the US. You can find that information here: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
Education Corner
Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation
Higher Education scholarship can be found at:
https://www.bbnc.net/for-shareholders/bbnc-education-foundation/for-students/
The funding deadline for the 2022-2023 academic year is Friday, April 8th, 2022 at 5 PM.
Bristol Bay Native Association
Higher Education Scholarship is available for Spring and Fall semesters each year. To find due dates for the application please check their website at https://bbna.com/our-programs/workforce-development/higher-education-adult-vocational-training/
Bristol Bay Economic Development
BBEDC’s College Development Fund awards up to $1500 per semester to Bristol Bay CDQ residents (including high school students) taking courses at the Bristol Bay Campus or via distance delivery from the University of Alaska, Alaska Pacific University, or other accredited institutions. Applications must be received no less than 3 business days prior to the class start date. Learn more and apply: https://www.bbedc.com/?page_id=153
Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy
Application Period is now open for 2022! To apply see their website: https://bristolbayriveracademy.org/
Bristol Bay Native Corporation Shareholder Development
2022 BBNC internship applications are now open! Find the online application https://www.bbnc.net/for-shareholders/shareholder-development/internships. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 18, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Alaska time. For questions or inquiries, please contact Buchi Lind at blind@bbnc.net or (907) 278-3602.
Thank You for taking the time to read our newsletter. Remember you can reach out to CLNC staff and Board members with any questions or concerns. Email admin@clncalaska.com or use the contact page on our website: clncalaska.com.