Bristol Bay Information
CEDS Projects
TOURISM GOAL: Promote collaboration and coordination to increase access to locally owned resources, businesses, and cultural awareness for the tourism industry.
Table of Contents
Project: City of Chignik Revitalization of the Historical Boardwalk and theater to create a Historical Cultural Information Center and a popular destination for visitors.
Project Description: The project will be to address derelict buildings and dangerous properties along the boardwalk by tearing down (if necessary) and cleaning up unsafe structures and properties. Converting the historical theater located in the middle of the board walk into a Chignik Historical Information Center, where the locals can work to preserve their culture and history. Promote as a destination in the community to attract visitors to our beautiful and historically rich community. Use the center to display local arts and crafts for sale to boost tourism revenue and opportunity. The goal being to preserve protect and promote local culture.
People/Organizations responsible for completing these steps:
City of Chignik, Chignik Bay Tribal Council, Farwest Ventures Inc., Trident Seafoods, Property Owners
Cost Estimates:
Costs: Unknown
Timeline:
Funding Partners:
Evaluation Measures:
- Acquisition of property
- Boardwalk revitalized.
- Theater revitalized.
- Increased revenue to the City of Chignik
Key Project Contact:
Name: Dannica Anderson
Title: Deputy Clerk
Organization: City of Chignik
Project: Develop a comprehensive list of tourist attractions in Bristol Bay for the purpose of creating a regional marketing campaign.
It is no secret Bristol Bay is one of the most pristine and beautiful places on the planet. The secret of Bristol Bay lies in its remote locations and hard to access destinations. Bristol Bay is disconnected from the road system making travel into the area an intimidating task. Currently, there are many lodges and camps in the region that serve as a getaway but there is no way to consider all destination options in one spot. Bristol Bay needs a one-stop-shop, user-friendly resource that can consolidate and connect all the wonderful tourist opportunities Bristol Bay has to offer.
Project Description: Tourist destinations around the world spend millions of dollars trying to attract outside revenue to their regions. To do so they have a comprehensive list of services provided in their areas. Bristol Bay has just as many opportunities to increase tourism-based revenue but has not established a system to properly inventory and assess what is particularly special about the region. Taking the time to develop an inventory can streamline marketing efforts to ensure Bristol Bay captures the most revenue from potential visitors.
People/Organizations responsible for completing these steps:
Bristol Bay Borough, Dillingham Census Area communities, Lake and Peninsula Borough, regional airports and air carriers, Bristol Bay’s Tribes and Corporations, regional lodging facilities, gift shops, information centers, Bristol Bay Alaska Tourism, Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Public Land Agencies, Convention and Visitors Boroughs, Chambers of Commerce, Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association
Evaluation Measures:
- Ten jobs are created.
- Regional tour-based revenue increases by $250,000.
Key Project Contact:
Name: Kristina D. Andrew
Title: Economic Development Coordinator
Organization: Bristol Bay Native Association
Project: Increase Tourism in the Bristol Bay Borough through Development of Visitor Infrastructure in King Salmon, Alaska.
Project Description: King Salmon, Alaska has all the potential for a robust tourism-based economy. To complement its public lands, rich fishing, and cultural heritage. The community has an excellent airport as well as superb dining and lodging options. However, its visitor infrastructure needs to be updated and expanded. An infrastructure investment could create opportunities for the community of King Salmon and surrounding communities to take advantage of Southwest Alaska’s growing tourism industry, attract and encourage visitors to fully explore the community, of King Salmon and its surrounding public lands, culture, and tribal heritage. This infrastructure will significantly contribute to economic diversity, sustainability, and long-term resiliency.
People/Organizations responsible for completing these steps:
The Bristol Bay Borough Chamber, King Salmon Visitor Center, The Bristol Bay Borough, local, municipal, state, and federal entities
Cost Estimates:
Costs: unknown
Timeline: 5-year timeline – 2021 -2026
Funding Partners:
Evaluation Measures:
- 25% increase in the number of visitors to the surrounding area over a five-year period.
- Improved visitor experience.
- Increase visitor understanding of local tribes, culture, industry, values, and heritage.
- Increase in access to visitor experiences, local merchandise, and services.
- Increase in local jobs that support research cultural resources, production of art, development of experience tours, and delivery of supporting services.
Key Project Contact:
Name: LaRece Egli
Title: Secretary
Organization: Bristol Bay Borough Chamber of Commerce
Project: Construct a new Boat House facility to expand the exhibition space of the Bristol Bay Historical Society Museum.
Project Description: The Bristol Bay Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, culture, and values of Bristol Bay. The Bristol Bay Historical Society currently owns and operates a museum facility located in the historic A.R. Davey Mercantile Building in Naknek, AK. This museum space is utilized to host exhibits and education programs that demonstrate the diversity, traditions, resources and industries of the Bristol Bay region. Exhibits and programs offered in this space encourage cultural exchange by fostering collaboration among elders, youth, artists, scholars, and tradesmen. The current exhibition space available in the historic building is, however, limited and the surrounding property needs to be developed to include a warehouse facility large enough to house the societies extensive historic wooden boat collection. This unique collection is composed of several vessels that demonstrate the transition from sailboats to gas powered salmon fishing boats. This infrastructure expansion will significantly contribute to the Bristol Bay Historical Societies ability to maintain, manage, protect, conserve, and display the maritime cultural resources of the bay.
People/Organizations responsible for completing these steps:
The Bristol Bay Historical Society has a five-member Board of Directors, one seasonal staff member and recently posted a position to hire a Museum Administrator. This new administrator will oversee all operations, conduct day-to-day business, maintain collaborations with partners, write grants and interface with bookkeeping personnel.
Cost Estimates:
Costs: $480,000
Timeline: 5-year timeline — 2021-2026
Funding Partners: The Bristol Bay Historical Society, Rasmussen Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities
Funding partners may include Museums Alaska, Alaska Historic Canneries Initiative, Alaska Humanities Forum, Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation, Alaska Peninsula Corporation, Katmai Conservancy, Rasmuson Foundation, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Wells Fargo, Bristol Bay Native Association, National Park Service, local tribes, and other private foundations. Notable donors that have supported museum activities are too many to mention but larger sponsors include the Bristol Bay Borough, Naknek Native Village Council, local businesses, and the seafood processing industry of Bristol Bay.
Evaluation Measures:
- 25% increase in membership and donation revenue over a five-year period.
- Increase in visitor understanding of industrial heritage, local fisheries, tribes, and culture.
- Increase in access to visitor experiences, local interpretive capacity, and local merchandise.
- Increase in local jobs that support visitor services, cultural resource management, historic construction, and interpretive exhibit development.
Key Project Contact:
Name: Fred Anderson
Title: President
Organization: Bristol Bay Historical Society