From 2011 to 2015, we delivered a multi-stakeholder economic development function in the Klondike region, based on the following strategies:
1) Enterprise Retention and Development
2) Research
3) Key Sector Development
4) Investment Capital
5) Partnership Development
6) Community Marketing
7) Social Enterprise
Since then, various factors have influenced a shift in focus. In 2016 KDO prioritized addressing a key barrier to our community’s well-being and development: the shortage of rental housing. Our community-based solution was the construction of a not-for-profit housing project. Through partnerships with the City of Dawson, funding via Yukon Housing Corporation and CMHC , plus financing through commercial mortgages, as of 2019 KDO has added 16 apartments to the Dawson rental market at two locations in the historic townsite.
In 2020/21 we continued work in the social enterprise sphere, this time building a small Solar Independent Power Production facility on the Dome. This project now generates clean energy to the Yukon grid, and is a revenue stream for our organization, resulting in reduced dependence on government funding.
KDO continues to take a proactive approach to community revitalization and economic development, with strategies and work plans evolving to reflect our community’s needs, while responding to local and regional events and changes. For more information, check out our most recent strategic plan: