NANA
EDS making regional progress
Fuel, funding, and future skills
The economic development and sustainability( EDS) department has been making progress on regional initiatives over the past several months.
Fuel Bulk fuel upgrades are on the way in Noatak, Kobuk and Kivalina. With support from the Denali Commission and a $ 100 million award to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for energy initiatives, villages are improving critical infrastructure. AVEC will carry forward the implementation, ensuring families have reliable energy in the years ahead.
Future skills The first Bulk Fuel Workshop held in May, and a second one coming in October, gave shareholders a chance to learn about careers in energy and infrastructure.
This October, 15 students will head to the Alaska Technical Center for training in solar array installation and residential heat pump systems. NANA covers all expenses( travel, lodging, meals, tools, and stipends), so participants can focus entirely on learning. Thanks to a Department of Energy grant and $ 5 million in-kind support from NANA, the program is part of a larger effort to create opportunities in the trade and energy fields, building skills that will stay in the region. Phase one activities are already underway, and phase two budgeting is under review. NIHA homes will not be included in the heat pump installations.
VEI The Village Economic Investment( VEI) program is moving forward, with several projects approved during the July board meeting. These projects reflect NANA’ s commitment to village-led priorities and strengthening local economies. See the board section on page two for more information.
Broadband The U. S. Supreme Court recently upheld the Universal Service Fund, securing a vital resource for rural Alaska. Next steps include modernizing the fund to broaden contributors, explore congressional appropriations, and keep rural communities connected. This is important for the NANA Regional Broadband project.
Housing summit As part of the EDS strategic initiatives, NANA co-hosted a housing summit with Northwest Inupiat Housing Authority( NIHA) in August to advance the conversation about available affordable housing.
Working together to connect our communities
tautchikun, a public benefit company and subsidiary of NANA Regional Corporation, has been awarded $ 24.9 million through the U. S. Department of Agriculture’ s ReConnect Program( Round 5) to bring high-speed broadband to rural Alaska communities.
The grant application is supported by Hughes and Huslia tribes, Tanana Chiefs Conference( TCC), K’ oyitl’ ots’ ina Limited( K Corp), and Doyon Limited. This regional approach builds on previous broadband development grants, including NANA’ s $ 65 million award from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and TCC’ s USDA ReConnect Round 3 award. By connecting these networks, Atautchikun’ s solution is a force multiplier creating network redundancy, improving uptime, and bringing reliable internet service to more communities.
NANA NET LLC will serve as the broadband operator, ensuring sustainable, reliable service through these networks. By expanding into Hughes and Huslia this infrastructure will unlock telehealth, distance learning, remote work, new economic opportunities for these rural communities, and create redundancy for NANA ' s broadband network.
Atautchikun, meaning“ together” in Iñupiaq, was created to secure and manage grants that improve the quality of life for NANA shareholders. Its mission, vision, and values reflect those of NANA, and this award demonstrates the power of regional collaboration to close the digital divide. Together, we are building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.
Collaborating for solutions
Highlights from the Northwest Arctic Housing Summit
NANA’ s economic development and sustainability( EDS) team continues to make strides in addressing critical issues facing our region. In August 2025, NANA co-hosted a housing summit with the Northwest Inupiat Housing Authority( NIHA), bringing together key stakeholders from across the region to discuss the housing crisis impacting our communities. The summit served as a vital platform for meaningful conversations, fostering collaboration and understanding of the current and broad challenges related to developing affordable housing and supporting infrastructure in our communities. NIHA and NANA’ s EDS team presented valuable insights on the barriers to accessing housing in the region, as well as the challenges posed by the high cost of living and the high cost |
of construction, creating momentum for future solutions.
Speakers at the event included Northwest Arctic Leadership Team members, housing and funding agencies, Alaska delegation representatives, and Rasmuson Foundation. NANA also hosted one leader from each regional community attending the event, ensuring representation was significant and meaningful.
" This summit represented exactly the kind of collaborative approach our region is using to tackle complex challenges," said Vice President of Economic Development and Sustainability Albie Dallemolle. " By bringing together different voices and perspectives, we created an environment where we could openly discuss the realities our
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communities face and begin exploring pathways forward to addressing this critical need. The conversations that took place here were appreciated and will continue to inform our work and strengthen our partnerships as we move ahead, it’ s going to take all of us to work toward a solution.”
We extend our sincere gratitude to NIHA for their partnership in organizing this important event, as well as to all the village, Tribal, state, and local regional leaders, as well as the housing professionals, funding agencies, and all stakeholders who participated. Their willingness to engage in these difficult but necessary conversations demonstrates a collective commitment to finding solutions that will benefit our region ' s families and communities together.
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Quyanaq to Wilbur Howarth( left) and Chris Collins( right) both from Northwest Inupiat Housing Authority for joining us at the Northwest Arctic Housing Summit.
NANA At Large Board Director Eva Harvey( left) and Vice President of Economic Development and Sustainability Albie Dallemolle( right) enjoyed connecting with attendees at the housing summit.
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The Northwest Arctic Housing Summit was well attended by state and local leaders, housing professionals, and stakeholders.
4 The Hunter | 2025 Fall