Economy

New property assessments for Kodiak went out in the mail starting February 29. On Thursday night, March 7, disgruntled residents filled the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly chambers to voice their concerns over the significant increases. KMXT’s Davis Hovey was at the assembly meeting and has this report: “Please don’t tax us out of town,” Sylvia Kavanaugh said. “In my adult …

This week on the Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: Brian Venua reports on cuts to the halibut quota, plus an evergreen piece on deadly algal blooms. A red tide off the coast of California. Algal blooms are especially common during the summer months, and are the cause of the state’s annual mussel quarantine. (Peter Franks/Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

Fishermen are once again looking at lower catch limits for halibut this year. That’s after harvest levels were cut last year too. KMXT’s Brian Venua reports that news comes as fishery managers say the species had its worst recruitment in decades. Catch limits for Pacific halibut this year are down to about 35.3 million pounds across the entire fishery, which …

For the first time in 30 years, electric rates are going up in Kodiak. The Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) announced a proposed 12.5% rate hike for all customers in an open letter published on the company’s website Friday, Feb. 23.  That means the average resident will see a monthly bill that costs about $12 more, according to the local utility. …

This week on the Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: Davis Hovey reports on expansion of critical habitat for North Pacific Right Whales for KMXT, Jeremy Hsieh on Eklutna Lake restoration wrangling for Alaska Public Radio, and KDLL’s Riley Board reports that the EPA has charged a Soldotna man with damaging salmon habitat. North Pacific Right Whales seen in Barnabas …

Chocolate confections and local art came together on Feb. 17 for Discover Kodiak’s annual fundraising event. As KMXT’s Brian Venua reports, the local visitor bureau’s auction was raising money to support tourism to the island.  Attendees tasted several local chocolatey goods pictured here as they bid on photos and paintings from local artists. (Brian Venua/KMXT) Brock Simmons, the executive director …

This week on the Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: A report about paralytic shellfish poisoning from Alaska Public Media’s Kavitha George, KBBI’s Jamie Diep on the effects of ocean acidification on razor clams, and Hannah Flor reports about an electronic monitoring bill that gets a lukewarm reception from industry. Alaska razor clams. (Jenny Neyman/KDLL)

The Kodiak City Council wants to allocate more of its sales tax revenue to fund capital improvement projects, such as road repairs. Council members took up the issue at a regular meeting Thursday night, Feb. 8. KMXT’s Davis Hovey reports: According to city documents, the amount of money generated by local sales tax in Kodiak has increased over the last …

This week KDLG’s Christina Mc Dermott reports on seafood restaurant dynamics that drive low prices, Theo Greenly of KUCB on petition pushback from Unalaska, and hatchery salmon gets a hearing in the State House.

Updated Feb. 2, 2024 OBI Seafoods announced Wednesday, Jan. 31 it will not open its summer fish processing plant in Larsen Bay, on the west end of Kodiak Island. The company will still buy salmon from the area’s fishermen, but will rely on its facility in the city of Kodiak instead. KMXT’s Brian Venua reports it’s the latest plant to …