Financial Resources

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant programs provide funding for rural projects through local utility organizations.

Provides financial support to Alaska Native kelp farmers for permit and lease fees, farming equipment, and startup costs.

Promotes sustainable farming and business for practices in AK, CA, OR, WA, HI, and U.S. Pacific Islands; 6-8 Projects are usually funded annually.

Grants of up to $25,000 for kelp farmers in exchange for data collection and sharing.

Loans to nonprofits, cooperatives, municipal government’s and other entities for the purpose of increasing access to mariculture, especially within Alaska Native and rural communities.

Loans of up to $1,000,000 for 1) operating expenses such as oyster seed and first-year start-up costs, 2) equipment purchases, such as nursery tanks and oyster cages, and 3) building processing facilities.

Loans of up to $300,000 to small businesses (see SBA definition) that have matching loan funds.

Loans of up to $35,000 for working capital, equipment, construction, or other commercial purposes

Loans of up to $100,000 per year (max balance of $300,000) for planning, constructing and operating shellfish or aquatic plant farming business

Grants for carrying out R&D projects that address aspects of fisheries or aquaculture including harvest, processing and marketing. Proposals must be between $25,000 and $300,000 and for a 24 month project period.

Provides long-term fixed rate loans that can be used to refurbish, modernize or purchase vessels or mariculture facilities. The FFP will also refinance existing debt incurred for these purposes. The FFP will not finance a vessel refurbishing project that materially increases a vessel’s harvesting capacity.