Ak Department of Commerce Community Econo

Seafood Processors Operating in Alaska Incurred Substantial and Unanticipated Costs to Protect Communities, Keep Their Workers Safe, and Continue Operations Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Despite the Burdens Placed on the Industry by Federal, State, and Local Governments in Order to Continue Operations, the Industry Has Largely Been Omitted From COVID-19 Relief Programs to Date. These Companies Have Significant, Documented, Previously Incurred Expenses Resulting From Federal, State, and Local Mandates That Have Thus Far Been Borne Almost Solely by Industry Members. the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Will Open the Alaska Seafood Processors Pandemic Response Relief Program in Spring 2022 to Provide Grants to Seafood Processors, Including At-sea Processors, to Reimburse Already Incurred Eligible COVID-19 Mitigation Costs Including Workplace Safety Measures, Retrofitting Facilities, Medical Expenses, and Transportation and Worker Housing Expenses Related to Quarantining of Workers. a Total of $30,590,998 in Funding Will Be Made Available to Seafood Processors in This Program, and Grant Funding Is Anticipated to Be Awarded and Distributed by Summer 2022.