Prepared By: Nicole Grewe, Ph.D. and Eric Caldwell, Research and Analysis Section

On behalf of the Community of Elfin Cove Non-Profit Corporation, DCRA conducted a community survey of local residents, community members, business owners, and fishermen during May and June 2006.  The purpose of the survey was to gather community input regarding local quality of life, community development priorities, economic development opportunities, and areas of community concern. Survey results are used by the community to guide community and economic planning efforts.

In collaboration with the City of Gustavus, DCRA conducted a community survey of local residents, registered voters, business owners, fishermen, and other community members.  The purpose of the survey was to gather community input regarding local quality of life, community development priorities, local government performance, and additional areas of community concern. Survey results provide needed feedback regarding the newly founded city government, community development preferences, and priorities.

On behalf of the Chenega Corporation, in April 2007 DCRA conducted a survey of Chenega Bay residents, Chenega IRA tribal members, and Chenega Corporation shareholders. The purpose of the survey was to gather community and shareholder input regarding Chenega Bay's quality of life, community development priorities, shareholder education and job training needs, and additional areas of social and cultural concern. Survey results brought together multiple community stakeholders to inform long-term planning in Chenega Bay.

On behalf of the City of Gustavus, DCRA conducted a three-year anniversary review of the newly incorporated municipality (April 2004).  In an effort to provide the City of Gustavus with an objective review of the local government’s evolution, the project included three primary objectives:  1) a comparison of the petitioner’s proposal with current municipality status with particular focus on human and financial resources (e.g., services, revenue, expenditures); 2) a review of municipal organizational growth; and 3) gathering public input regarding perception of local government, impact to local quality of life, and future expectations.  Project findings evaluate the evolution of the newly incorporated City of Gustavus and serves as a foundation for future decision making.

During February 2009, the Division of Community & Regional Affairs (DCRA) repeated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities, first initiated during 2005 (Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Alaska). This report, Current Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Alaska, February 2009 Update, summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices during the recent past, and provides a current and historical perspective on fluctuating fuel prices. This report details fuel prices in each community on the date of contact.

During October 2008 and November 2008, DCRA repeated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities first initiated during 2005 (Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Alaska). This report, Current Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Alaska, November 2008 Update summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices during the recent past, and provides a current and historical perspective of fluctuating fuel prices. Of critical importance, this report details fuel prices in each community on the date of contact.

As follow-up to the report Current Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Alaska, June 2008 Update, DCRA contacted fuel vendors between July 23 – 25, 2008 in communities where a spring or summer bulk fuel shipment had not been received prior to the original survey period (June 23 – 25, 2008).  In total, local fuel retailers from 37 communities were contacted to provide current heating fuel and gasoline per gallon retail prices and current fuel delivery status.

Prepared by: Nicole Grewe, Ph.D., Robert Sylvester, and Eric Caldwell, Research and Analysis Section

During June 2008, DCRA repeated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities first initiated during 2005.  This report summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices between November 2007 and June 2008, and provides a current and historical perspective of fluctuating fuel prices.

During November 2007, DCRA repeated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities first initiated during 2005.  This report summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices between June 2007 and November 2007, and provides a national perspective on fluctuating fuel prices.

During June 2007, DCRA repeated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities first initiated during 2005.  This report summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices between November 2006 and June 2007, and provides a national perspective on fluctuating fuel prices.

During November 2006, DCRA repeated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities first initiated during 2005.  This report summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices between November 2005 and November 2006, and provides a national perspective on fluctuating fuel prices.

As a supplement to a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices first initiated during 2005, DCRA surveyed fuel retailers in 29 select Alaska communities.  This report summarizes fuel survey findings, discusses changes in fuel prices, and explores the Power Cost Equalization Program and Small Municipality Energy Assistance Program.

During November 2005, DCRA initiated a statewide survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities.  This report summarizes fuel survey findings and provides a national perspective on fluctuating fuel prices.

Since November 2005, DCRA has conducted a biannual statewide telephone survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities. Current Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Southeast, November 2005 – October 2008 Summary, examines retail heating fuel and gasoline prices across eleven Southeast Alaska communities, compares Southeast to other Alaska regions, and discusses longitudinal price changes. Similar to other Alaska regions, Southeast communities are experiencing the direct and indirect impacts of increased fuel costs including increased transportation costs, energy expenses, and cost of living expenses.

Since November 2005, DCRA has conducted a biannual statewide telephone survey of retail heating fuel and gasoline prices in a cross-section of 100 select Alaska communities. Current Community Conditions: Fuel Prices Across Southeast, November 2005 – June 2008 Summary, examines retail heating fuel and gasoline prices across eleven Southeast Alaska communities, compares Southeast to other Alaska regions, and discusses longitudinal price changes. Similar to other Alaska regions, Southeast communities are experiencing the direct and indirect impacts of increased fuel costs including increased transportation costs, energy expenses, and cost of living expenses.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 36 individuals from 27 communities that received RUBA Program services from Anchorage Regional Office staff during the recent past.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Anchorage Regional Office.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 34 individuals from 27 communities that received RUBA Program services from Bethel Regional Office staff during the recent past.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Bethel Regional Office.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 6 individuals from 5 communities that received RUBA Program services from Dillingham Regional Office staff during the recent past.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Dillingham Regional Office.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 11 individuals from 10 communities that received RUBA Program services from Fairbanks Regional Office staff during the recent past.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Fairbanks Regional Office.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 9 individuals from 7 communities that received RUBA Program services from Juneau Regional Office staff during the recent past.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Juneau Regional Office.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 8 individuals from 7 communities that received RUBA Program services from Kotzebue Regional Office staff during the recent past.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Kotzebue Regional Office.

As a follow-up to the RUBA Program Evaluation conducted in 2007, DCRA analyzed community key-informant survey results by RUBA Program Regional Office.  This report documents the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of 18 individuals from 12 communities that received RUBA Program services from Nome Regional Office staff.  Results allow RUBA Program management to evaluate community feedback specific to the Nome Regional Office.

The Mini-Grant Program, as administered by DCRA from the mid-1980s to 2007, served as an important and popular source of funding for community planning and local economic development activities.  This report summarizes the impacts of the 21 Mini-Grants approved for disbursement in 2003.  Results from this report provide feedback regarding the effectiveness of the Mini-Grant Program and the performance of DCRA Grants Section.

In December 2006, DCRA’s RUBA Program solicited an external evaluation to help guide service delivery decisions, inform decision-making processes, and improve overall program effectiveness and long-term community impact.  This July 2007 report provides the findings of the external evaluation, including program strengths and weaknesses and recommendations regarding utility assessments, technical assistance, Utility Management Training courses, program administration, and staff development.  Results from the external evaluation will be used to guide future Program-management decisions.