Formed in 2020, TKC Fish Wheel is a Native-Led 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation created to bring awareness to and secure funding for infrastructure development projects and business opportunities that help improve the lives of our people and boost the local economies of our Middle-Kuskokwim communities.
areas of focus
It is our vision at The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC) to achieve sustainable growth while protecting our lands and responsibly balancing the needs of all its stakeholders. As we work to provide solutions to meet the needs of our people, we are committed to being good stewards and protecting our land and resources so it may continue to provide for generations to come.
In recent years, TKC Fish Wheel has focused on infrastructure development within the TKC Region. TKC Shareholders identified four areas of focus for development:
HOUSING
COST OF LIVING
BROADBAND
INTERNET
ENERGY
The role TKC Fish Wheel plays in our infrastructure development projects is to leverage funding and establish partnerships to support these and other programs to meet the needs and better the lives of TKC Shareholders.
HOUSING – HARVEST TO HOME
Over the past couple of years, we’ve been reminded repeatedly of the lack of housing available to our Shareholders living or wanting to live in-region. We continue to explore ways to provide solutions that are realistic, responsible, and that align with our traditional values as well as TKC’s vision. One of those solutions is TKC’s Harvest to Home (H2H) project.
The Corporation’s H2H project is a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing housing needs in our communities while honoring our rich cultural heritage and promoting sustainability. By blending modern technology with traditional technique, we are revolutionizing the way homes are built in our region utilizing the strength of our people and the health of our timber. From stewarding the land that nourishes our trees, to cutting and milling, to assembling and living in these homes, they will be Shareholder-built from the ground up.
We completed home designs with our partners in 2023, putting us even closer to production.
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS
Broadband Internet access is key to meet the needs of Shareholders as companies transition to providing services online. To understand these needs, TKC Fish Wheel conducted community outreach and completed a Broadband Feasibility Study for the region. This study investigated the requirements to deploy affordable and reliable broadband internet access in TKC communities. TKC Fish Wheel will use what was learned from the feasibility study to seek opportunities to construct a fiberoptic network connecting our communities to each other and the rest of world.
renewable energy
Integrating renewable energy production into the electrical grids of our communities will help to offset high cost of electricity in the region. TKC Fish Wheel is working to build this renewable energy infrastructure and modernize electrical utilities. By utilizing wind and solar energy, communities will be able to reduce their reliance on diesel fuel for electricity production while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This renewable energy framework includes the formation of an Independent Power Producer (IPP) which will sell electricity produced by renewables to local eclectic utilities. Revenues generated by the IPP will be reinvested into the community to further reduce energy costs.
Get involved
TKC Fish Wheel operates through grant funding and contributions from TKC and community partners. Individuals or organizations interested in supporting TKC Fish Wheel and its mission can do so though monetary contributions, donation of services, and volunteering time. As an IRS registered 501(c)(3)nonprofit, any donations made to TKC Fish Wheel are considered charitable contributions and are tax deductible.
REPORTS & RESOURCES
2024 Middle Kuskokwim Gathering Report
For questions or more information, contact TKC Vice President of Shareholder Services Jonathan Samuelson at jonathan.samuelson@kuskokwim.com or Rural Development Director Will Hartman at will.hartman@kuskokwim.com.