Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District seeks continued borough funding to support workforce, housing and mariculture work

Cassidy Cameron, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, appeared before the assembly on May 19 to brief members on KPEDD work and to request continued borough funding in FY‑26.

Cameron summarized the district’s role as a regional convener and data provider and highlighted a portfolio of projects: workforce and career‑pathway initiatives for rural schools, a community catalyst economic analysis grant (EDA) that yielded regional industry and housing data, mariculture planning under a federal build‑back program and ongoing support for small businesses via incubator services and micro‑loan programs.

She stressed that KPEDD uses borough funding to match federal and private grant dollars and to sustain personnel and data tools (GIS and Datify analytics) that inform municipal planning and grant applications. Cameron said the district’s FY‑25 revenue mix is heavily grant‑funded and that borough dollars make up an important, relatively flexible local match that enables EDA and other project work.

The director outlined outreach and data products (labor force dashboards, visitor and tourism analytics and community economic profiles) and said KPEDD will lead a refresh of the borough's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in 2026, inviting public engagement. She asked the assembly to continue the $175,000 appropriation (presented in the mayor’s draft) to keep KPEDD’s work on schedule.

Assembly members asked about grant stability and the district’s ability to attract private capital; Cameron said grant landscapes may shift but that the district is exploring private financing and investor partnerships to reduce reliance on federal funds.

No formal action was taken at the session.