September 15, 2004
Architect's drawing of the future Yuut Elitnaurviat.
YKHC Public Relations Staff Report
Yuut Elitnarviat, or YE, a new training center presently under construction in Bethel, was recently awarded $2 million by the federal government, according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
The money, issued by the USDA's Rural Development agency, will fund part of YE's $17 million construction cost to build the new regional training center that will serve the Y-K Delta.
Karlton Kuhns, YE's Executive Director, said the program is presently negotiating with U.S. Dept. of Commerce for an additional $1.8 million in EDA (Economic Development Administration) money to add to construction funds.
Last spring, the agency was appropriated $1 million by the Alaska Legislature, thanks to the efforts of Sen. Lyman Hoffman of Bethel.
The state funds were included in the state's FY-05 budget and are in the process of being paid to YE though the Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development.
To date, funding for the program has steadily flowed into the YE project. Other funders include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the University of Alaska, the Rasmuson Foundation, the Denali Commission and the Paul G. Allen Foundation.
Kuhns said the success of the grant requests speak volumes about the importance of workforce and training efforts of YE, its partners, and the excellent grantsmanship of Janelle Vanasse, YE's previous director.
"We are thrilled with the support that we have received from various state, federal and private funding sources," Kuhns said. "We are closing in on our goal of reaching $17 million."
The building that will house the 4,668-square-foot Vocational Education (construction trade training) Center is already under construction this summer.
In addition, the YE campus will include a 31,560-square-foot technical education and support services building, and a 2,000-square-foot early childhood lab school.