Saxman and Kasaan awarded USDA Rural Development grants

The city-owned clan house in Saxman, July 22, 2013.
The city-owned clan house in Saxman in 2013.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development awarded a $60,000 grant to the City of Saxman last week. The announcement was made by Alaska State Director Jim Norlund.

The grant is provided through a program with a goal of offering affordable loans and grants for facility projects in rural areas. Grants are available to rural communities with a population of 5,000 or fewer.

Saxman’s grant will be used to replace the roof of the city-owned clan house. A press release issued by the USDA states that replacing the roof will prevent damage to the expensive, custom-made red cedar ceiling purlins. Purlins are the horizontal beams along the length of the roof.

The tribal house was completed in 1990 and is used for Native cultural activities. It is also a venue for many community events.

USDA also awarded a $26,250 grant to the City of Kasaan. The money will be used to prepare environmental assessments for water and wastewater projects.

USDA Rural Development has invested more than $2 billion in 226 rural Alaskan communities since 2009.

KRBD - Ketchikan

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