Economy

Ravn Alaska is currently not flying into the village of Newtok. The air carrier is waiting until contractors hired by the Department of Transportation finish resurfacing the runway. The DOT project is to resurface, or cap, the runway, taxiway, and the apron of Newtok’s airport.

There has been a delay in the capping process, which began when some materials were damaged and left at the end of the runway, according to DOT officials. The contractors need to remove and replace the damaged material before the capping can begin.

Bethel once again has an operating liquor store, but it only sells beer and wine. Bethel Spirits, owned by Bethel Native Corporation, reopened its doors on Tuesday, July 10. The opening comes a month and a half after the state effectively shut down the AC Quickstop liquor store when the state did not renew the store’s license.

The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative is preparing to erect a 900-kilowatt wind turbine off of Bethel’s BIA Road. KYUK’s radio tower stands near the turbine site and for the safety of the construction workers, KYUK will lower the power on its 640 AM radio signal beginning Wednesday, June 27.

There are three buyers on the Yukon River this summer paying for chum salmon. In District 1 of the river, Kwik'Pak Fisheries, the largest processor on the river, is buying for its plant in Emmonak. The company has been a regular player on the Yukon since it was established in 2001 by the Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association. Jack Schultheis, the company’s operations manager, says, “Fishing has picked up during this opener since water levels went down, clearing some of the debris that had made fishing tough. Now that it’s easier, more people are out fishing.”  

Last week, Donlin Gold received a state permit that regulates wastewater discharge. The mine is located in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region and is poised to be one of the biggest gold mines in the world.