Assembly backs Southeast seafood modernization project after debate over disaster funding
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Summary
The assembly voted to support Resolution 31‑67, joining a regional seafood industry working group to pursue disaster‑supplemental funding for infrastructure, workforce and equipment; the motion carried 6‑1 after an amendment and debate over whether the grant fit the landslide disaster designation.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Feb. 9 adopted Resolution 31‑67, endorsing the Southeast Conference’s Southeast Seafood Modernization and Industry Acceleration Project and agreeing to participate as a coalition member.
Robert Venables of Southeast Conference outlined three program “buckets” — infrastructure (shared processing and equipment), workforce development and marketing/entrepreneurship — and said the group is pursuing several funding sources, including an Economic Development Administration disaster‑supplemental application with an imminent deadline. Colette Peters described a shared equipment program modeled on existing mariculture grants and said grants typically flow to EDA‑eligible entities, often nonprofits or public entities.
Assemblymember Eleanor Thompson objected to using a landslide disaster declaration as the basis for maritime economic recovery funds, calling it “a shell game at the federal level,” and warned against conflating different disaster categories. "I can't bring my mind to equate a grant based on a disaster for a landslide with economic development for maritime," Thompson said.
Other members said the federal declaration makes the region eligible and that fisheries have been in ‘dire shape’ and need help. The assembly amended the resolution at the table to add Economic Development Goal #5 from the borough’s 2035 comprehensive plan (food security) to the recitals. After that amendment the motion passed 6‑1, with Thompson opposing.
What this means: the borough will join the regional working group and staff will provide limited staff time as needed; the Southeast Conference will continue applying for EDA and other funds and may ask the borough for coalition participation in grant submissions.
