CVRF provides over $500,000 to help residents purchase critical village equipment

Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) has completed the seventh round of its flagship People Propel® program. The program has made it possible for hundreds of residents in western Alaska to purchase new outboard motors, boats, snow machines, all-terrain vehicles, fishing nets, Toyostoves, and more since its launch in 2013.

“I am happy and proud to be one of the People Propel® recipients this year,” said Fannie Moore of Quinhagak. “I was able to purchase a new four-wheeler and am very thankful to Coastal Villages for helping make this happen.”

CVRF’s seventh round of the People Propel® program launched on May 1, 2017 and was completed on June 15. A total subsidy of $518,460 was provided to 237 eligible recipients, helping them purchase $1,728,199 of equipment.

“Knowing that we’re helping residents who live in parts of the state with some of the highest unemployment rates makes what we’re doing worth it,” said Florence Kargi, CVRF’s Program Coordinator for People Propel®. “I know that we are helping families who are in great need. For instance, one of my personal favorite stories is how a single mother who lost her partner needed an ATV, and was able to purchase it because of our program.”

Participation in the People Propel® program is reserved for verified residents of CVRF’s 20 member communities. CVRF provides 30% of the cost of equipment. Since the first installment of the program in January of 2013, CVRF has provided over $6 million in matching funds for the purchase of over $15 million worth of equipment by region residents.

Information about the eighth round of People Propel® will be provided in October. There will be $980,000 in subsidies available for the fall round.

CVRF is a 501(c)(4) Alaska non-profit corporation whose 20 member villages are along the west coast of Alaska from Scammon Bay to Platinum. CVRF is believed to be the largest Alaskan-owned seafood company in history and is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors elected by the residents of its 20 member communities. CVRF is dedicated to providing economic development in its 20 member communities by creating sensible, tangible and long-term opportunities that generate Hope for residents who want to Fish and Work.