MEMORANDUM

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

THRU: Dale Bagley, Borough Mayor

THRU: Jeff Sinz, Finance Director

FROM: Bonnie L. Golden, Grants Manager bg

Jack Brown, Business Development Manager jb

DATE: August 8, 2002

SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 2002-19-06: Accepting and Appropriating a Grant in the Amount of $45,000 from the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development for the Arctic Winter Games

The Arctic Winter Games are conducted every two years with teams from Canada, Russia, Greenland and Alaska competing. Arctic Winter Games emphasize athletic competition, cultural exhibition and social interchange.

The Borough has established a Bid Committee that is preparing a bid for the 2006 Arctic Winter Games to be held on the Peninsula. The written bids must be completed by October 1, 2002. Site reviews and presentations occur during the winter. Announcement of the bid awards are scheduled for March 2003.

This project could bring over 1,600 athletes, coaches and officials to the Kenai Peninsula, generating several million dollars in revenue for local businesses. In addition, it could provide a showcase for the rich cultural heritage of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

The Borough has been awarded a legislative grant through the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development in the amount of $45,000. The grant is to be used for the bid process to bring the Arctic Winter Games to the Peninsula. Specifically, the Bid Committee will use the funds for a project coordinator, development of the bid package and preparation for the on-site visit by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. Since the written bid documents are due October 1, 2002, a shortened public hearing date for the ordinance has been requested.

Attachments (ordinance; notification letter from DCED)