Economy

The Old Swanson’s Apartment Building in Bethel lies in rubble. The city tore the building down on Oct. 6 after the structure continued burning for its second day, and after the fire had spread next door to the Old Swanson’s Furniture Store.

COVID-19 changed the shape of the Association of Village Council Presidents’ annual convention. For one thing, there were no resolutions this year because none were forwarded by tribes for the virtual convention.

Child care just got cheaper for Alaska Native families in communities served by the Association of Village Council Presidents. The program, using CARES Act funding, is paying for child care to all eligible essential workers, and there are no income requirements for eligibility. Carol Hunter, AVCP’s Child Care Coordinator, said that unlike the current program, there is no co-pay.

“Yes, that is correct,” Hunter said, “and we pay 100%, so the parents wouldn’t have to pay.”

The Association of Village Council Presidents' annual convention kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 23. Like many events during the coronavirus pandemic, it will be held virtually. Another change from past years is that the convention will last only one day, instead of its usual three. 

The only store the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta village of Kasigluk burned down on the night of Sept. 10, leaving residents without a place in town to buy groceries, clothes, and other supplies. The community is locked down to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, which meant that Kasigluk couldn’t get help from nearby villages to fight the flames.

There is over $13 million available in CARES Act funding for Bethel tribal members, but ONC says that applicants need to use the mail, internet, or phone to apply for it as soon as possible.

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed another big event in Bethel into the virtual space. The Association of Village Council Presidents plans to hold its annual convention online, starting on Wednesday, Sept. 23. 

It’s not too late to enroll as a Calista Regional Native Corporation shareholder. The deadline to apply and be included in the next dividend distribution is Aug. 31.