On Oct. 10, the Haines Economic Development Corporation discussed spending a portion of its borough-appropriated $95,000 to hire a contractor to create a Haines baseline economic study.
HEDC board president Kyle Gray said gathering information on how much money comes into the borough, and how it circulates in the community, is important to creating a five-year strategic plan.
“A lot of information is out there and we’re just looking to compile it,” Gray said. “Originally we wanted an executive director but as time is dwindling we’re looking at other options.”
Gray estimated such a study to cost between $10,000 and $50,000.
The HEDC board had wanted to use the bulk of the $95,000 to hire an executive director who could complete such a study. Gray said the board isn’t interested in most of the individuals who have submitted applications.
“A lot of them don’t even live in America,” Gray said. “It’s written in our job description that you have to be familiar with Southeast Alaska.”
One applicant is from Haines, Gray said.
The board will continue to discuss hiring a contractor to conduct the study at its Oct. 19 meeting.