PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Chamber Members,

Last month we held our Annual Coast Guard Appreciation Dinner at the Golden Anchor on the Coast Guard Base. It was a fun evening, with great food and music, a spectacular crowd of guests and speakers, and a rewarding awards ceremony providing much deserved recognition to nine individuals who stood out as exemplary citizens in the Coast Guard and Kodiak communities this past year. Tremendous thanks to Linda Hartle & Ericka Thompson for helping to make this a lovely and successful event along with Board Members Emily Stewart, Past President Mary Beth Loewen and President Sara Fraser for being excellent hosts for the evening. 

The month of March always starts with a nice burst of local shopping thanks to Sales Tax Free Day, courtesy of the City of Kodiak since 2008. Thanks to the City for giving everyone a break on sales tax that can help provide a big boost in local shopping for our businesses and some nice saving for residents. I’ve heard good things about sales from a few businesses and I am hoping to hear many more.

As we dive into the first weekend of this month there is a lot going on in our community. This will be the final weekend of performances of Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and tickets are still available. Tonight is the March First Friday Art Walk and you’ll find more information on that under upcoming events below.

This month we’ll be hosting a Business After Hours at Sunrise Studio on March 21^st and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at new local business Kodiak Social on March 28^th. I hope you’re able to make time to join us and come support each business while getting to know a little more about them.

March is a pretty busy time for Chamber staff, with Crab Fest, ComFish and Community Clean Up Day just around the corner. We are finalizing plans for our ComFish Forums in April and are excited about the speaker line up, Congressman Nick Begich, Senator Stevens have both confirmed in person forums for ComFish and we are waiting on final word from Representative Stutes, Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski. More details on our Forums will be coming in the next few weeks.

We’re excited to announce that this year for Community Clean Up Day we are partnering with Water’s Edge Marine and broadening the scope of clean up efforts to include a “Beach Crawl Clean Up” as well!

Thanks to Matson, new to Crab Fest this year will be 509 Jumpers from Yakima, WA! 509 Jumpers is an inflatables company that will be bringing numerous games, bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses for endless family fun during Crab Fest. Presale Wristbands are on sale now through May 16^th, you can scroll down for more information.

There are quite a few important items of interest in this month’s newsletter. The Corporate Transparency Act beneficial ownership reporting requirements are back on again and reports are due by March 21^st, for the full details and links to more information please scroll down.

The Alaska Marine Highway System Long Range Plan is now open for review and public comment, you’ll find the full press release and more information below. There will be a zoom webinar on Wednesday, March 19^th at noon where you can hear an overview of the plan. The ferry system is critical to the economic and overall health of our community, your input and public comments are important.

For the next several months the Kodiak Economic Development Corporation, KEDC, is holding Recharging Our Community’s Economy Workshops. Look for more information about them under “Upcoming Events” when you scroll down.

This month’s featured article is on new local business, Kodiak Social. You’ll also find a press release from the Kodiak Community Health Center that you’ll want to check out as well. To read these articles and the full newsletter be sure to click on view the entire message.

Thank you for your time, your continued support of the Chamber and our community, the Chamber's programs, and your membership!

Warm Regards,

Ellen Simeonoff, Executive Director, Kodiak Chamber of Commerce 

Update on the Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements are back on.

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What happened: A federal court lifted the injunction that was preventing the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) from enforcing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements under the CTA.

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Why it matters: After numerous delays pending legal challenges, certain small business now have to file their paperwork starting as early as March, according to an update FinCEN shared:

For the vast majority of reporting companies, the new deadline to file an initial, updated, and/ or corrected BOI report is now March 21, 2025. FinCEN will provide an update before then of any further modification of this deadline, recognizing that reporting companies may need additional time to comply with their BOI reporting obligations once this update is provided. 

Failure to submit the paperwork puts small businesses owners at risk of criminal penalties and fines up to $10,000.

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What’s the CTA? The CTA was enacted by Congress on January 1, 2021, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The CTA included significant reforms to anti-money laundering laws and is intended to help prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and tax fraud.  

Under the act, small businesses in the United States were required to file beneficial ownership information reports (BOIR) with the Department of the Treasury by January 1. This deadline was on hold due to federal court rulings.

What the US Chamber is doing: In February, a bill that would provide a one-year reporting delay under the CTA passed the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate. The U.S. Chamber sent a Key Vote Letter to the House supporting H.R. 736, the Protect Small Business from Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025.

Need help complying with the reporting requirements? Download the US Chamber's guide for small businesses by clicking here.

On Friday, February 21st we held this year's Annual Coast Guard Appreciation Dinner "We Applaud You" at the Golden Anchor on Base Kodiak. For the past two years we have shifted the focus of the dinner to one recognizing not just the US Coast Guard in our Community as a whole, but to recognizing our Coast Guard Community Heroes. Coast Guard Community Heroes are individuals who in this past year have gone above and beyond in their efforts to volunteer within the Kodiak community as well as Coast Guard community programs

2025 Coast Guard Community Hero Award Winners:

SK2 Aleira Nash

Amanda Hoover

ME1 Adam Mithcell

Erin Elandt

BM1 Joel Kincaid

MK2 Klynt Raymond

LTJG Laura Bostwick

MK2 Zachery Huff

2025 Coast Guard Citizen of the Year Winner:

ETC John "Scott" Knoch

This year's dinner featured proclamation speeches from our State Senator Gary Stevens, City Mayor Pat Branson, Borough Assembly Member Larry LeDoux and Congressman Nick Begich.

The dinner was catered by the Golden Anchor with appetizers and desserts provided by Lani's Filipino Barbecue, The Chart Room Restaurant, Kodiak Hana, Bearfoot Bakery, Safeway and Melanie's Crazy Cakes.

Thanks to Drew Sablon & Ronnie Wolf for keeping us entertained with great music and to our outstanding photographer, Ellen Carty.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors for helping us to host this dinner: KANA, Chris Kyle Patriots Hospital, Golden Alaska Excavating, Whitespace 3D, Midtown Auto Repair Services, Kodiak Powersports & Marine, Kodiak Island Wildsource and these PIKE Sponsors: Matson, Alaska Aerospace, Alaska Airlines, KVOK/HOT 101.1, World Wide Movers, the Kodiak Lions Club, Silver Bay Seafoods, and the Best Western Kodiak Inn.

Below are just a few photos from the dinner. For a look at more of them please visit the Chamber's facebook page.

ComFish Attendee Registration Is Open

If you're planning on attending ComFish in April please register below.

"IT'S OTTER CHAOS" Crab Fest 2025!!

Wristbands are back and they're better than ever!!

With sponsorship from Matson, the Chamber is excited to announce that 509 Jumpers, an inflatables company from Yakima, Washington will be coming to Crab Fest this year. 509 Jumpers will be bringing an incredible selection of bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses and games for kids and their families to enjoy all 5 days of Crab Fest! We're selling wristbands "Crab Passes", you can purchase 5 Day unlimited access passes or daily passes. Presale prices offer a nice discount, they are available for purchase now, buying them early makes it easier to just pick them up right before Crab Fest and then just show up to Crab Fest and go to 509 Jumpers as often as you want. Getting wristbands early saves you money during crab fest for food, shopping and other entertainment vendors for kids.

Kodiak Crab Fest Vendor Registration is Open!

SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS AT CRABFEST 2025!

This is your chance to be a part of Kodiak's biggest event of the year, which draws thousands of visitors from all over. Whether you offer food, crafts, or services, we want YOU to be a part of this exciting festival!

SIGN UP TO HAVE A BOOTH AT CRAB FEST NOW through April 30th!

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY: Registration link

HAVING AN EVENT DURING CRAB FEST?

RACES, BABY CRAWL, BOOK SALE, ART SHOW AND MORE....Complete the Event Registration online by clicking here now through May 7th. You can click on the image below to register your event also.

Singing, dancing, musical acts, bands, and entertainers....if you're planning on performing during the Kodiak Crab Festival this year please register below!

List Your Event on the Chamber Calendar

ROCE--Recharge our Community's Economy

Workshops

This is a workshop Series hosted by KEDC. The first workshop will be held on March 13th, followed by three more workshops on April 9, May 7th and May 28th.

The four-part ROCE Workshop Series is designed to empower participants with practical tools and strategies. Each session builds on the last, helping attendees identify local assets, map value chains, and create action plans for sustainable projects. The workshops also foster trust and collaboration, ensuring that solutions are truly community-driven.

Workshop 1 on March 13th--The Change Starts With You

What's Your Vision For The Future?

Revitalize our Main Street?

Create New Businesses & Jobs?

Expand or Develop New Industries?

New Parks & Recreation Resources?

What's your idea?

Be A Part Of The Change You Want to See!

To register now and to learn more visit the Kodiak Economic Development Corporations website here: https://kodiakedc.com/workshop.

Kodiak's First Friday Art Walk March 7th

This is the final weekend to go see Cinderella! Tickets are still available!

Experience the magic in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella: Enchanted Edition at the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium! Purchase your tickets at https://bit.ly/RHcinderella

Showtimes are March 7, & 8 at 7PM and March 9th at 2PM.

Thank you to Subway of Kodiak for sponsoring this show.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 28, 2025

CONTACT: Sam Dapcevich,

(907) 465-4503, sam.dapcevich@alaska.gov

Alaska Marine Highway System Long-Range Plan Now Open for Public Review and Comment

(JUNEAU, Alaska) –  The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) is pleased to announce the release of its Long-Range Plan for public review and comment. This comprehensive plan outlines a 20 year vision for the future of Alaska’s marine transportation network to meet the evolving needs of Alaska’s coastal communities.

The public may review the plan and submit comments at https://publicinput.com/i56446 through Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Additionally, members of the public are invited to a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, March 19, at 12 p.m. to hear an overview of the plan. Information on how to join the webinar is available at https://publicinput.com/i56446.

Key focus areas of the AMHS Long-Range Plan are:

1. Providing Safe, Reliable Service to Connect Alaska’s Communities
2. With our continued focus on service levels, we strive to support economic and social ties between Alaska’s diverse communities.
3. Updating the Marine Highway Fleet and Terminal Assets for Resiliency and Standardization
4. Recognizing the need for modern and resilient service and infrastructure, the plan calls out the need to continue our investment progress in both the fleet and terminal facilities. We are on a track to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen emergency response capabilities, and ensure AMHS assets can withstand Alaska’s unique environmental challenges.
5. Continue Building and Supporting a Skilled, Reliable Workforce
6. A strong workforce is essential for maintaining high service standards. The Long-Range Plan builds on our current initiatives for workforce development, training, and retention to equip employees with the skills needed to meet both current and future maritime transportation demands.
7. Promoting Financial Efficiency and Sustainability
8. Fiscal responsibility is critical to the long-term success of AMHS through continued innovative budgeting strategies, cost-saving measures, and sustainable practices. 

“We are excited to unveil this forward-looking Long-Range Plan, which reaffirms our commitment to safety and reliability while paving the way for a more modern and financially sustainable marine highway system,” said Craig Tornga, AMHS Marine Director. “We invite community members, business leaders, public officials, and other stakeholders to review the plan and share their feedback to help shape the future of transportation in Alaska.”

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska.

The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

In Person and Online!

For the first time ever, the Festival is leaving the road system. The majority of Alaskan municipalities are not connected to the road system and are often overlooked for networking opportunities like this. We are excited to bring the Festival to one of these communities. The 2025 Alaska Food Festival and Conference will be our second hybrid event, and more than ever, we will prioritize accessibility. Gather with us as we celebrate Alaska’s food system from Kodiak. Collaboration, Network Development, and Food System Solutions.

This is the state’s biggest convening of food experts, producers, advocates, educators, eaters, and more. Whether the food comes from land or water, it is all crucial to Alaska’s food future. Expect a diversity of speakers from all food system and agricultural sectors. Cross-sector collaboration leads to a stronger, more resilient food system.

Alaska is a one-of-a-kind state with its own unique food system challenges. Each sector of the food system impacts the others. Bring your food system questions!

Small Business Collaboration Group

Monthly Chamber Board Meeting in March

• Wednesday, March 19th
• 11:30 am
• Kodiak Chamber Conference Room

Non Profit Network Meeting in March

This group is open to Kodiak nonprofit executive directors, program managers, and staff members. Kodiak Nonprofit Network has been meeting regularly for over 30 years.

We support each other, we collaborate, we ask for help or ideas. Please share program updates, local issues, funding opportunities, questions, and anything else that pertains to nonprofit life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grand Opening: In-House Pharmacy at Kodiak Community Health Center

[Kodiak, Alaska] – [March 5, 2025] – Kodiak Community Health Center is proud to announce the grand opening of its new in-house pharmacy, a vital addition to KCHC designed to enhance patient care and convenience. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 12 noon, located at 1911 East Rezanof Drive in Kodiak. Community members are invited to attend the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new pharmacy will allow patients to fill prescriptions on-site, eliminating the need for additional travel and ensuring better medication adherence. By integrating pharmacy services with medical care, patients will experience a more seamless and coordinated approach to their healthcare needs.

“This is an important step forward in expanding healthcare access for our patients,” said Carol Austerman, CEO/CFO of Kodiak Community Health Center. “Having an in-house pharmacy means we can provide medications more efficiently, offer direct consultation services, and support patients in managing their conditions with ease.” 

Click on the link below for more information and the full press release

With its rugged natural beauty and rich history, Kodiak has much to offer. Its community is friendly, laid-back and passionate. Our goal is to offer a place for the town to connect, to celebrate and to get ‘Social’.

Social provides a perfect setting for your birthday, wedding/baby shower, trade/hobby class, and more with nearly 800 square feet of customizable space. Once booked, you will receive a unique code for access to your private event space. 

Click here to read more about Kodiak Social and what they have to offer Kodiak residents.

Member Job Postings

Kodiak Chamber of Commerce: Financial & Organizational Assistant; Community Relations Director

KIHA: Senior Accountant, Facilities Laborer, Housing Advisor

Midtown Auto Repair Services: Shop Helper/ Maintenance Technician

Click Here for open positions on the Chamber Website.

Chamber News & Views

Membership Portal

Alaska Small Business Development Center

Visit https://aksbdc.org/ for more On Demand Workshops and More!

Workshops & On-Demand Classes

• Combating Fraud & Identity Theft
• Creating a Compelling Commercialization Plan
• Avoiding Security Disasters for Small Businesses
• SBA Loans & What the Lender Requires
• Digital Marketing Trends
• Beginner's Guide Sell Your Products on Etsy
• Credit It is that important
• ADA Law What Businesses Should Know
• Financial Health of Your Business
• Anatomy of Modern Websites
• Bookkeeping Basics
• Creating Financial Projections for your Business Plan
• Developing a Marketing/Sales Strategy
• How to get a Business License in Alaska

Health Care for Chamber Members

As a Chamber Member, you and your employees have access to excellent health care insurance. Participation is available through Associated Industries, whose mission is to provide comprehensive healthcare products to Alaska employers at affordable prices. 

Please email us for more information.

THANK YOU TO Chris Kyle Patriots Hospital for renewing as a Three Sisters Level PIKE Sponsor.

If you're interested in becoming a PIKE Sponsor let us know.

Reach out to Ellen at

907-486-5557 or email: ellen@kodiakchamber.org.

Interested in becoming a member?

The Chamber Membership gives your organization the tools and support it needs to succeed. With access to business resources, educational materials, advocacy, networking opportunities, and much more... 

Chamber Board of Directors

President Sara Fraser

Past President Mary Beth Loewen

Vice President Robert Greene

Secretary/Treasurer Rebecca Skinner

Board Members              

Lindsay Knight, Emily Stewart, Nichole Rohde, Hailey Ivanoff, Tyler Wallace, Nicholas Mangini, Nichole Miles & Rebecca Skinner



City of Kodiak Representative

Josie Bahnke

Kodiak Island Borough Representative Aimee Williams

USCG Base Representative

Capt. Jeremy Hall

USCG Air Station Representative Capt.Timothy Williams

KEA Representative Dan Menth

Discover Kodiak Representative

Sabrina Hicks

Play Pull Tabs @ Henry's!!