The Cordova City Council is considering a cut to the Cordova Chamber of Commerce’s funding, a reduction that would eliminate nearly half of the City’s financial support for this vital organization. On paper, this might look like an easy way to balance the budget, but in reality, it’s a short-sighted choice that would have widespread, unintended consequences for all of us.
In a down fish year, times are already tough for Cordova residents and small business owners. If we want Cordova to thrive and we want our community to be more resilient to down fish years in the future, we need the Chamber’s work now more than ever – and it’s time to let City Council know.
The Chamber’s impact on daily life in Cordova
The Chamber isn’t just for businesses; it’s the heart of Cordova’s economy and community life, especially in challenging times. Here’s how it directly impacts each of us:
- Boosting community income: The Chamber’s work in economic development doesn’t just support local businesses. This year, Chamber-hosted events like the Shorebird and Fungus Festivals generated over $250,000 in direct economic impact. Its targeted efforts to attract expedition cruise and conference visitors and independent travelers are projected to add $1.1 million in local spending over the next two years. When visitors shop, eat, and stay in Cordova, they contribute to the sales tax revenue that funds essential city services.
- Smart growth: The Cordova Chamber, recognized statewide for its proactive approach, collaborates with local businesses and industry leaders to manage tourism growth responsibly. Cutting funding now risks losing control over how our visitor industry develops, with potential negative impacts on the community.
- Quality of life events that lift us up: The Chamber’s events – from the Old Time 4th of July and Hometown Holiday Kickoff to the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival and Fungus Festival – are essential parts of Cordova’s social fabric. These celebrations bring joy, boost community pride, and generate revenue for local businesses. When we’re dealing with a down fish year, these events keep spirits high and dollars local, creating a positive ripple effect that strengthens Cordova’s resilience. Cutting the Chamber’s funding means fewer events, as the Chamber will have no choice but to make program cuts to balance its own budget.
- Business support that keeps us strong: The Chamber is the backbone of Cordova’s business community. Through business trainings, promotion, and direct support, the Chamber helps local businesses thrive. When Cordova’s businesses are strong, we all benefit through a wider variety of goods and services, stable jobs, and a robust tax base. Reducing the Chamber’s funding by nearly 50% will force it to scale back these essential business support programs, along with its effort to build childcare and workforce capacity – weakening the entire community in the long term.
- Valuable and necessary partnership: Recognizing the Chamber’s expertise and the city’s limited staff capacity, the city originated this partnership with the Chamber to develop and manage its visitor industry and add economic diversification. And the Chamber is surpassing expectations. The Chamber is THE entity in Cordova focused on building complementary industries that diversify Cordova’s economy to provide resilience and protection from years like this one. Why jeopardize this profitable partnership due to unrelated problems with fishing revenues? It’s times like this the Chamber is needed most!
What’s at stake
- Risk of outmigration: Cordova is known for its tight-knit community and quality of life, but cuts to the Chamber’s funding threaten to undermine these advantages. As many Alaskan communities are experiencing outmigration, years like this one make it harder for people to stay in town. With fewer events and less support for businesses, Cordova could see a decline in population, leading to a decrease in property tax and sales tax revenue, lower school enrollment, and a smaller pool of workers for essential services.
- Reduced ability to diversify the economy: Years like this one underscore the need for the city to diversify its revenue streams, and the Chamber’s work in right-sized tourism and economic development is critical to this effort. If the Chamber loses funding, its ability to recruit and support these visitors will be compromised. This means missed opportunities to bring valuable new revenue into Cordova’s economy to ease the city’s financial challenges.
How you can help stand up for Cordova’s future
Now is the time for Cordovans to make their voices heard. Cutting the Chamber’s funding will have real consequences that affect every resident. Reach out to your City Council members by emailing [email protected] or make a public comment at the next council meeting on Nov. 21. Tell them that maintaining full funding for the Chamber isn’t just a line item – it’s a sound investment in Cordova’s economy, community, and future resilience.
Cathy Renfeldt is the executive director of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce.
