Where: Eek, Alaska

Issue: A water system was out of compliance and lacked infrastructure

Outcome: With RCAC’s technical support, the utility achieved compliance, and the city built a new access road, bridge and landfill

Eek is a remote town with less than 300 residents in far eastern Alaska. About 30 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. One small airport serves the town, and in winter, residents travel on trails with snow machines.

Partly because of Eek’s isolation, it has faced several environmental and economic challenges. While it had received USDA Rural Development and state funding for infrastructure improvements, that funding was reduced in early 2017, and the town’s project management position was eliminated.

USDA then requested that RCAC assist Eek with planned projects, including constructing a new access road, bridge and landfill. RCAC helped Eek manage its grant and project, and to complete and deliver its monthly and quarterly federal and state progress and financial reports on time.

The access road, bridge and landfill were completed on time and on budget. Both grants from the USDA Rural Development and Alaska’s Community Development Block Grant program were successfully closed out.