How the peninsula operated during the COVID-19 pandemic will inform financial analysis for future economic development efforts. That’s according to Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Executive Director Tim Dillon.

Among the projects KPEDD is working on this year are the borough’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and an Economic Resiliency Plan.

During a presentation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, Dillon said that KPEDD received a grant to help with the economic resiliency plan, which he said was developed in response to challenges the peninsula has faced in recent years.

“We’ve had three huge disasters in the last three years: We had an earthquake, we had fires and now we have COVID,” Dillon told the assembly. “We’ve learned an awful lot and what we want to try and do is make sure we take what we’ve learned and be able to help our businesses.”

Dillon said Thursday that he expects economic recovery and growth during 2021 will depend on the industry. Under the American Rescue Plan recently approved by Congress, Dillon said, Alaska is expecting to receive a little over $1 billion. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is expecting to receive a little over $10 million. That is in addition to funds that will be sent directly to the borough’s incorporated communities.

“There are some pieces in this American Rescue Plan specifically designed for the tourism folks and the restaurants and bars, and I think that’s going to help, but I think the rest of the areas are starting to bounce back,” Dillon said. “People are gladly taking jobs again, which is nice, and they’re able to get back to work.”

Efforts by peninsula chambers of commerce to appeal to independent travelers in response to another slow cruise ship season and encouraging people to support businesses by shopping local will also be key, Dillon said.

KPEDD launched a workforce development website in February that aims to pair peninsula residents with available jobs on the peninsula by providing resources for education and funding for opportunities.

In addition to connecting users with job listings, the site also provides resources for young professionals, including scholarships, assistance with creating cover letters and resumes and general information on each of the peninsula’s main industries.

During his presentation to the assembly, Dillon said that access to technology and broadband across the peninsula will be one of KPEDD’s top priorities over the next few years. Specifically, Dillon praised the efforts of the borough to improve residents’ access to the internet.

The borough approved between $1.2 and $2 million of its CARES Act for the purpose of improving public access to the internet through tower site development and infrastructure. Through a partnership with the Homer-based company SPITwSPOTS, Inc., six communications towers were constructed across the peninsula in Bear Creek, Cohoe, Nikiski, Nikolaevsk, Ninilchik and Tyonek.

KPEDD is also working on developing the peninsula’s updated CEDS, or Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which Dillon said is used by the federal government and is helpful in securing federal funding for projects across the borough.

More information about industries on the peninsula can be found at kpedd.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.