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Kawerak, Inc. Leadership Summit
FEATUREDKawerak, Inc. Leadership Summit
Overview
Rural Alaska is a wild and abundant place, full of vibrant cultures and formidable wildlife. Indigenous peoples have been the stewards of this land, sea, and air since time immemorial.
The vast landscape of mountain ranges, waterways, and distance means people can’t just drive to the nearest large town to obtain essential services. Most villages are not connected to the road system. In fact, 86 percent of Alaska's communities cannot be reached by road; this means the movement of goods and people is not only difficult, but costly. For many communities, supplies must be transported by boat or airplane. To obtain advanced education, training, medical care, or other services, residents must travel by air to the nearest regional hub community like Fairbanks, Juneau, Bethel, or Anchorage.
Rural Alaska is where our underserved and persistent poverty communities are located, along with repeat disaster losses and significant climate change risks. Rural Alaska is also home to a large senior population and most of our aging infrastructure.
The Rural Partners Network is listening to local voices and supporting these rural communities as they work to build resilience, infrastructure, services, and economic opportunity.
Community Networks in Alaska
Northwest Alaska (page coming soon)
Southeast Alaska (page coming soon)
Interior Alaska (page coming soon)

Recent News from Alaska
USDA to use outdoors recreation to boost economy around national forests, grasslands
How an Alaska village’s switch to renewable energy helps local Native economies
At first, locals protested Alaska’s land sale. Now, they’re reclaiming it
USDA grants $3.6M to improve wastewater systems and landfills in Interior Alaska
Rural Partners Network Contacts
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Julia Hnilicka
USDA Rural Development State Director -
VACANT
Supervisory Community Liaison -
Emma Marr
Community Planner