Staff Report

Credit Union 1 plans to throw a community party this summer when it opens a Homer branch at the site that was previously the home of Fireweed Gallery, 475 E. Pioneer Ave.

The branch will mark the credit union’s 16^th location, all in Alaska. It will be the second branch on the Kenai Peninsula; another is in Soldotna.

Credit Union 1 is eager to hire locally, and a Homer branch manager position is posted on its website, said Jessica Gallagher, director of corporate affairs and community impact. Among the benefits is child-care assistance, she said.

Credit Union 1 officials have been connecting to Homer business owners, nonprofits and local leaders to get to know the community’s priorities and needs, said Gallagher. “We really value relationship building.”

She also noted some of Credit Union 1’s areas of emphasis, including providing financial education and wellness for its members, establishing community partners and reinvesting in the community.

“Our goal is to show up in a way that reflects Homer’s value and spirit,” said Erika Smith, longtime Kenai Peninsula resident and chief operating officer of CU1, in a press release. “Because we serve only Alaska, our decisions are made locally, and our resources are reinvested directly back to the communities we serve.”

The branch will offer the full range of CU1 services — from everyday consumer banking and mortgages to business solutions supported by modern digital tools, according to the release.

Mark Burgess, CU1 president and CEO, said the decision to open in Homer was inspired by the 2045 Homer Comprehensive Plan Update “and the community’s shared commitment to thoughtful growth, strong neighborhoods and a thriving local economy. We’re excited to support that vision by providing local service, trusted guidance and the financial tools that help families and businesses build what’s next.”

Gallagher noted a special meaning in the new branch’s location where Fireweed Gallery operated for decades, describing the gallery as a “beloved local business that contributed to Homer’s creative and cultural life for many years.”

“We’re grateful for the legacy created in that space and extend our sincere congratulations to the gallery’s owners as they step into retirement. Carrying forward the spirit of a locally rooted business is something we approach with care and respect,” she said in the release.