Updating and streamlining the strategic plan for Nome’s port expansion was the theme of the hour-long work session that preceded last week’s Port Commission meeting.
Joining the session via phone were Susan Bell and Garrett Evridge from the McDowell Group, a research and consulting firm based in Anchorage.
For a price tag of over $23,000, the McDowell Group has been hired by the Port of Nome for their “professional services” over the span of 70 to 90 days. So what exactly have they been hired to do? That was one of the questions some port commissioners raised at the start of last week’s work session.
“I’m confused, or a little bit vague on what’s the final product that you believe you’re going to produce,” admitted port commissioner Charlie Lean.
Bell explained to Lean and other curious commissioners that they were planning a “streamlined approach” to how information about the port expansion is distributed. The McDowell Group will update the port’s strategic development plan, author a white paper, put together an informational brochure, and formulate a PowerPoint presentation that the port will be able to use when the expansion project is presented to the Civil Works Review board.
Bell and Evridge called upon the commissioners for input on what to emphasize in those materials. Lean was the first to respond, suggesting the McDowell group focus more on what benefits an expanded port will have on the region and not just Nome. Newly appointed commissioner Megan Alvanna-Stimple reiterated his point.
“It’s important to highlight the international [and] national Arctic issues, but it’s not as concrete,”Alvanna-Stimple said. “People don’t know how to think about that yet, and I think our strongest point that we can make is that we serve Western Alaska, and that’s why this investment is critical.”
Alvanna-Stimpfle pointed out that Nome’s port serves over one hundred communities, and urged the McDowell Group to highlight its role in the region’s economic viability.
“It will change the paradigm for how freight is delivered and the way we live in Western Alaska, and that’s something concrete and real and is a crisis.”
With more work sessions planned for the future, the scope of the port’s expansion is still unclear, leaving the future of freight transport throughout Western Alaska in limbo.
Following the work session, the lack of any new or old business on the agenda for last week’s Port Commission meeting allowed for a quick run-through of updates from City Manager Tom Moran and Port Director Joy Baker. The next Port Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19.
