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Ekwok Comprehensive Plan

Project Date: 2004 - 2005
Lead: Thea Agnew Bemben
Client: Ekwok Village Council
Locations: Ekwok

Project Description

Ekwok is a small Yup'ik Eskimo village located along the Nushagak River in the Bristol Bay region.

Agnew::Beck Consulting worked with the Ekwok community to prepare their Comprehensive Plan based on the local values and vision of Ekwok residents. Two well-attended community workshops were help in April 2004 and January 2005. The near final draft of the plan is currently under review by the Council.

During the planning process, Agnew::Beck Consulting developed a survey instrument that the Council used to count local businesses, number of jobs and expected job growth in the community. Results from the survey provided valuable information that is not otherwise available from state and federal sources.

Ekwok also helped field test the Community and Economic Development Planning Guidebook, developed by Agnew::Beck, Northern Economics, Inc, and Bristol Bay Native Association. A key feature of this planning process used in the Ekwok Plan is the "feasibility filter", which helps the community evaluate the feasibility of priority projects.

Throughout the planning process, Agnew::Beck partnered with a local Community Planning Team. The team provided community background information, conducted surveys, organized workshops and reviewed drafts of the plan. The team will present the final version to the village councils for adoption.

This project has:

  • Helped improve economic prospects by increasing the odds that children can find decent work and continue to live where they grew up;
  • Helped sustain cultural traditions, subsistence, history and culture;
  • Improved community facilities and services;
  • Improved community governance - help find better ways to communicate and make community decisions;
  • Helped Ekwok prepare a plan that is created, owned and used by local people to steer the future course of your community.

Publications