Developing the Kenai Peninsula Economy Since 1988

KPEDD was certified by the State of Alaska as an Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR ) in 1989 and recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as a federally-approved Economic Development District (EDD) in 1988. Since then, KPEDD has been involved in a variety of projects, including public works projects, planning, industry development, energy and grid resiliency, grant support, increasing capital investment in the region, and supporting businesses through tailored assistance.

As an ARDOR and EDD, KPEDD provides critical planning through the development of the five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, support for municipalities seeking infrastructure improvements and expansions, industry-specific resources, business resilience strategies, and quality of life improvements for residents. KPEDD partners with local, state, tribal and federal resource providers to maximize stakeholder engagement and optimize the economic health of our communities.

KPEDD program funding is generated through contracts with the Economic Development Administration, the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the tenants of the Business Incubation Center. Each year, KPEDD sponsors forums to help the business community network, learn, and grow. Economic Outlook Forums have been held in Kenai, Soldotna and Homer.

Goals and objectives are developed with broad community support in the five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS. These identified goals and action plans shape the economic development for the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

For more information about KPEDD or our planning process, please contact either Cassidi Cameron, Executive Director, or Caitlin Coreson, KPEDD Program Manager.

Client Feedback

ALASKA BUSINESS MAGAZINE

“Business is booming on the Kenai Peninsula, in large part due to the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District (KPEDD), one of only four federally recognized business districts in Alaska.”

ALEX DOUTHIT

OWNER, KENAI PENINSULA DRIVING INSTRUCTION

“In the very beginning, we needed a lot of help with the licensing process; it was a big hurdle to get around the cumbersome regulations, and I was getting stonewalled throughout the process,” Douthit explains. “KPEDD were able to help point us in the right direction and to make contact with the people we needed to reach, which was integral to us starting the business.”

GENEVIEVE DEROOS

OWNER, RUSTIC ROOTS

“They really are just genuine, great people to talk to, and they really want to see small businesses succeeding, which is awesome,” she said. “Working with them has kind of made it feel like this is possible.”

TIM JAGIELSKI

VICE PRESIDENT, JAG MARINE GROUP

“They made initial introductions with AVTEC when we first came into Seward, which has really helped out across all trades of our operation,” says Jagielski. “Tim Dillon [KPEDD] is usually our first call when we get into situations where we need assistance.”

About KPEDD

Developing the Kenai Peninsula Economy Since 1988

Client Feedback

ALASKA BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ALEX DOUTHIT

GENEVIEVE DEROOS

TIM JAGIELSKI

Leadership to foster and promote responsible and sustainable economic development