The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District is hosting a forum this week to discuss economic issues affecting Alaska Natives in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Tim Dillon, the executive director of KPEDD, said the organization hosts an economic forum every January, but has never featured the Alaska Native community specifically. He said the event — dubbed the Alaska Native Economic Future Forum — is really about providing resources and topics of interest to the Indigenous community.

Topics include manufacturing, federal funding availability, internship opportunities, the new elections process, broadband access and social media strategy for small businesses.

Dillon said KPEDD wants to ensure attendees can get information about a variety of agencies.

“I think it’s going to be an outstanding day of resources,” he said. “The Native community plays a really big role on the Kenai Peninsula. … We want to try to be as inclusive as possible.”

Dillon said he also works with the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development for the Kenai Peninsula to help draft a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy every five years. The Alaska Native Economic Future Forum, he said, will “make sure the Kenai Peninsula is well heard and well represented” for upcoming development strategy plans.

The forum, which is open to everyone and free of charge, will be at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. Lunch will be provided by Odie’s Deli in Soldotna for free as well.

The event will also be livestreamed on the KPEDD website. For more information Dillon can be reached at tim@kpedd.org or at 907-242-9709.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.