Community Investment
Responsible development of the Pebble Project will provide long-term employment, economic benefits and business opportunities to the Bristol Bay region and the State of Alaska. While potential development of a mine is still many years away, local communities in the region are already benefiting from The Pebble Partnershipâs commitment to hire and buy goods and services locally wherever possible.
The Pebble Partnership spent about $3 million on salaries, goods and services in the Bristol Bay region in 2006, and expects to spend a similar amount in 2007. The Pebble Project employed 1003 people in Alaska in 2007 (66% Alaskan), which includes 119 people from communities in the Bristol Bay region. The money they earn is generally spent locally, which helps support and sustain local communities. Local residents and businesses are also benefiting through supply and service contracts for vehicle rentals, lodging, catering, construction, transportation and personnel services.
The Pebble Partnership is also working to identify and develop commercial opportunities for local businesses and Native organizations related to future mine development. Modern mines are developed with the goal of ensuring that some of these businesses survive after mine closure, based on the principles and model of sustainable development.
The Pebble Partnership recognizes that young people in the Bristol Bay region must possess the required knowledge and skills if they are to fully participate in the potential opportunities that Pebble could offer in the years ahead. To this end, The Pebble Partnership supports programs that encourage young people to seek higher education and training opportunities for careers in mining, engineering, resource development and science. For further details, see Employment and Business Opportunities.
Community Contributions
The Pebble Partnership is an active member of and contributor to the communities of Bristol Bay, the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska. Corporate citizenship is an integral part of responsible mineral development, and The Pebble Partnership seeks to optimize the benefits that the Pebble Project provides to the surrounding region.
Among the ways that The Pebble Partnership contributes to Alaska communities is through charitable grants for community programs and events, through investments in projects that build community infrastructure and capacity, and through sponsorship of programs and events. Some examples of The Pebble Partnershipâs community contributions include:
- Providing a financial contribution to the Naknek Electric Geothermal Project
- Providing funding for the Kokanok Winter Carnival
- A donation to the Newhalen Winter Carnival Committee
- Gold Sponsorship of Winter Fest in King Salmon, Naknek & South Naknek, and sponsoring these same communities' Fishtival in July
- The Pebble Partnership's support made possible the Lake and Peninsula School District's 2007 Construction Academy building project, helping students develop their carpentry skills and experience through the building of an emergency shelter
