Denali Borough hires Agnue Beck to lead federally funded five‑year economic strategy; consultants seek committee members and broad public input

Agnue Beck consultants told Denali Borough officials at a March 18 work session they will lead a federally funded Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (SDS) aimed at producing a five‑year, action‑oriented plan to strengthen the borough’s economic resilience and guide projects eligible for federal funding. "We applied, we're awarded this funding. It's a dollar‑for‑dollar match," the borough project manager said as consultants described the grant and contract with Agnue Beck.

The consulting team — Meg Friedenower, project manager for the SDS; Shelley Wade, co‑owner of Agnue Beck Consulting; and Blair Shamborn, who will lead public involvement — reviewed the project scope, deliverables and an outreach strategy coordinated with a simultaneous housing study. Friedenower said the team has completed a plan review and background data collection and expects to launch a coordinated community survey this spring and summer. "We want to hear from you," Friedenower said, describing plans for hub‑community in‑person events, targeted interviews, sector conversations and a 30‑day public comment period on the draft SDS.

Consultants asked the planning commission and assembly to each nominate one representative to serve on an SDS committee that will advise the process; the team said the committee is an EDA requirement and is scoped for four formal meetings, supplemented by email engagement. The timeline the consultants shared calls for outreach this summer and drafting in the fall, with the SDS due to the Economic Development Administration on Feb. 28, 2027.

Elected officials used the session to give early guidance. Commissioners prioritized diversified, year‑round jobs and higher wages, less dependence on tourism and cruise‑linked seasonal activity, and better local access to basic services such as dental and primary care. One commissioner urged the team to center local values in the strategy, saying elected leaders want "options" that allow residents to move between careers and to remain in the borough year round.

Consultants also summarized early findings from a review of about 19–20 plans that affect the borough. They noted several structural constraints: limited local taxation tools, a patchwork of land ownership with about 70 percent held by the federal government or other large owners, and dependence on Fairbanks for many services. They identified those as potential barriers but also pointed to strengths — Denali National Park as a major visitor draw, healthy fiscal reserves and a strong nonprofit and volunteer network — that a targeted SDS could leverage.

On engagement metrics, the team said it will work with the SDS committee to set representative targets for survey response and outreach; the consultants said they typically aim for a high survey response rate and described a 25 percent response rate as an aspirational benchmark while stressing the need for geographic and demographic representation across the borough. They also discussed incentives, coordinated outreach with Minnesota Housing Partnership and practical efforts to reach seasonal residents and families (food, child activities, multiple engagement channels).

The session produced no formal votes. Borough staff and consultants said they will follow up with details on SDS committee membership, refine outreach plans with the committee, and return with draft materials for public review later in the process. "We're going to be asking for one member of each body…to participate in the strategy committee," a staff member said, and several officials indicated interest in volunteering.

Next steps: the consulting team will finalize the community survey, convene the SDS committee, hold hub‑community outreach events and draft the SDS for public comment ahead of the February 2027 EDA deadline.