The Fairbanks North Star Borough is launching a new citizens’ academy, the first of its kind for the borough.
The program is meant to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at how the local government functions. Department directors and staff will lead eight weekly sessions about the systems and services the borough performs, from emergency operations to budget planning.
In a Thursday press release, Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins said he wants residents to walk away with a better understanding of how things work and “the confidence to get involved and help shape the future of the borough.”
The City of Fairbanks started a similar program in 2023 and has graduated three rounds of participants. The borough said the city’s program inspired the new North Star Borough Citizens Academy.
The academy is free and open to all borough residents 16 and older, though classroom space is limited to 25 people. The borough says registration will remain open until either Sept. 15 or when all spots are filled – whichever comes first.
The weekly sessions begin Sept. 24 and are scheduled for Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.