Fairbanks economic development group asks commission to back transfer of ARDOR designation to FEDC

Jomo Stewart, president of the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), asked the Fairbanks North Star Borough Economic Development Commission on Jan. 28 to support transferring the Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR) designation from the borough to FEDC so the nonprofit can apply directly for federal grants and serve as the region’s formal economic development manager.

Stewart told the commission that one of the ARDOR’s core duties is “to create a community’s 5 year economic development strategy,” commonly referred to as a SEDS. He said being the ARDOR would allow FEDC to apply for federal Economic Development Administration and other federal grants directly rather than always relying on municipal partners to serve as lead applicant.

Why it matters: ARDOR designation opens federal funding channels and can make local matching funds — municipal appropriations and private sponsorships — more leverageable for studies, feasibility work and implementation. Stewart said the borough and city have historically funded FEDC and that FEDC’s current funding profile is “all non federal,” which is what other agencies often use as match to secure federal awards.

Stewart described FEDC’s board, staff, project slate and funding mix and said the organization has been preparing to take on ARDOR duties for years by training staff, reviewing bylaws and running pilot work such as SEDS updates and regional economic analyses. He recommended that the commission support an application that would initially use the existing Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) boundary rather than immediately expanding the ARDOR territory to include surrounding communities.

Stewart said the last SEDS update for the borough was self-funded after a missed federal application deadline and that the 2022 SEDS cost about $300,000. He gave a range for prior federal support available elsewhere — roughly $50,000–$70,000 for annual updates and up to about $200,000–$250,000 for a five‑year SEDS — and said being the ARDOR “allows you to apply” for those federal awards.

Commissioners asked about governance, financial sustainability and the application timeline. Commissioner Joshua Foer asked how FEDC’s access to programs and funds would change if it became the ARDOR; Stewart answered that ARDOR status would allow FEDC to apply directly for EDA and other federal grants and to use non‑federal municipal and private funds as match. Commissioner Russ Talby pressed about sustaining ARDOR activities before additional federal support arrives; Stewart said FEDC’s pro forma budgeting shows the organization could maintain operations under a tight fiscal scenario but that the board expects continued municipal and private support and grant awards.

Several commissioners raised governance questions about FEDC’s bylaws. Stewart acknowledged the board is reviewing bylaws and said a known inconsistency is that the City of Fairbanks mayor is a voting member of the FEDC board while the Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor is not. "The fact that the City of Fairbanks Mayor is a voting member of our board where the FNSB mayor is not," Stewart said, highlighting an issue the board plans to address. Commissioner Crystal Tidwell, the City of Fairbanks mayor’s designee on the commission, said it "would be nice to see some of those bylaw changes perhaps happen before we throw our full‑throated support behind this change." Stewart said the FEDC executive committee and counsel will review bylaws immediately and that the board aims to have application materials ready to submit to the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) by May 2025.

Stewart explained DCCED’s ARDOR application requirements as he understands them: a map of the proposed ARDOR boundary, governing documents and bylaws, and formal resolutions from a supermajority of municipalities and fellow economic development organizations (he cited a 75% support threshold for both). He said FEDC has already received a resolution of support from the City of Fairbanks and a letter of support from the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce board and is seeking additional letters from local EDOs and municipalities. Stewart asked the commission for a statement or letter of support to include with FEDC’s application package and encouraged commissioners and local partners to participate in the 2025 SEDS update.

Stewart said FEDC plans to start with the borough boundary as its ARDOR territory and to consider regional expansion later, rather than immediately seeking a broader interior region boundary. He also outlined potential specializations the ARDOR could pursue (for example agriculture, mining, military or energy) and said FEDC is already working with regional partners on grant applications and capacity building.

No formal vote was recorded on Jan. 28. Commissioners discussed the request and agreed to consider a letter or formal recommendation at a future meeting; the clerk and commission did not record a formal motion or vote during the item. The commission chair closed the item after questions and comments.

Next steps noted on the record: FEDC aims to submit an ARDOR application to DCCED by May 2025; FEDC will expedite a bylaw review and provide materials to the commission; commissioners asked staff to place a discussion or draft letter of support on a future meeting agenda so the commission can consider formal support before or as FEDC submits its application.