This week brought some confusion to the process of reopening businesses in Alaska. On Wednesday, a new state health mandate preempted local authority over how the reopening process would happen, but less than 24 hours later, the state returned control to local decision-makers. As of Friday, the state authorized restaurants, retail stores and other service businesses to reopen with some …
Read More »The Lowdown — Monday, April 6, 2020
On today’s edition of The Lowdown, we talk to executive director Sarah Phillips, from the Chamber of Commerce, and executive director Aimee Williams, from Discover Kodiak, about how local businesses are continuing to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss a new survey to measure the hit to Kodiak’s economy, and what residents can do to help keep local …
Read More »Chamber of Commerce and Discover Kodiak work to support local businesses during coronavirus slowdown
Both the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce and Discover Kodiak are closed, in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community. However, as both organizations explained on today’s edition of The Lowdown, they’re still working to support local businesses, many of whom are struggling during the pandemic. Sarah Phillips, executive director at the Chamber, said that while their …
Read More »The Lowdown — Tuesday, March 24, 2020
On today’s edition of The Lowdown, we talked to executive directors Sarah Phillips, from the Chamber of Commerce, and Aimee Williams from Discover Kodiak. Even though both offices are closed, Phillips and Williams are still working to support local businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Chamber is offering help with applying for federal small business loans. Discover Kodiak is …
Read More »First cruise ship of the season set to arrive Tuesday
Cruise ship season starts next week in Kodiak, and this year will bring a relatively big crowd to the island. Aimee (AIM-ee) Williams, Executive Director at Discover Kodiak, says 30 ships are scheduled to dock in Kodiak between May 7 and September 20, up from just 19 ships last year. That’s as many as 29,000 visitors total over the course …
Read More »Foggier Summer Proves Hassle for Kodiak’s Tourism Industry
A recent early morning fog at Kodiak high school. Kayla Desroches / KMXT Kayla Desroches/KMXT Weather is one of the tourism industry’s biggest foes in Alaska. Wind, rain, and fog can often determine whether a plane takes off. And, in Kodiak, it’s common for a commercial flight to turn around and head back to Anchorage if conditions aren’t favorable for …
Read More »Aimee Williams Hired as Discover Kodiak’s New Executive Director
Mitch Borden/KMXT Discover Kodiak recently hired a new executive director. After almost five years, the local tourist bureau’s former executive director Chastity McCarthy decided to step down so she could move to Arkansas to be closer to family. When Aimee Williams heard that Discover Kodiak would be looking for someone to fill McCarthy’s position, she was excited. Williams said,“I always …
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