President’s Message: Village Utilities

Andrew Guy, President and CEO

Storyknife, Mar/Apr 2024 edition

Infrastructure development opportunities have been an integral part of Calista’s strategic goal to promote in-Region economic development and partnerships. This January we submitted three potential projects into the State of Alaska’s Capital Project Submission and Information System (CAPSIS) that would benefit many communities in our Region.

The projects submitted into CAPSIS include new equipment for the Kuskokwim Ice Road, constructing a barge landing and road access in Marshall, and reconstructing Phillips Road in Akiachak.

Additionally, we submitted a letter to the federal Indian Health Service to advocate for operations and maintenance (O&M) costs towards water and sewer systems throughout rural Alaska. Advocating for annual operations and maintenance costs will protect existing and incoming utility infrastructure across the Region.

Realizing large infrastructure projects for the Region means working in unison. This makes me think back on our Elders’ words, Ikayuqluteng Atunem Piuraraqluteng, which means “they always mutually helped one another” in Yup’ik.

The recent revitalization of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Coalition has proven how effective we can be when we help one another. The Y-K Coalition is made up of the Association of Village Council Presidents Regional Housing Authority, Coastal Villages Region Fund, Nuvista Light and Electric Cooperative, Inc., the Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association, the Y-K Regional Tribal Government and Calista Corporation.

The coalition has been able to advocate in Juneau and Washington, D.C. for a wide range of needs. From housing, energy infrastructure, and O&M funding to transportation access, emergency operations and workforce development opportunities.

Realizing large infrastructure projects for the Region means working in unison.

Andrew Guy, Calista President/CEO

The advocacy efforts by the coalition drove us to supporting projects into CAPSIS and push for O&M funding to ensure the longevity of our water and sewer systems. If we continue to work together, we can provide more for our Region.

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) based in Mesa, AZ, visited Bethel with the Calista Corp. Shareholder Relations Committee in 2023. NCAIED is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with over 50 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development.