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Economy ~ Education ~ Healthcare ~ Activities ~ Housing ~ Relocation |
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Ketchikan combines the best that Alaska has to offer. Located on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, within the Tongass National Forest, we are lucky to have the best of both worlds - the mountains and the sea. We enjoy a lush green landscape 365 days a year thanks to an average of 162 inches of precipitation, which includes about 32 inches of snow. Winters can be chilly, as they are in most Northern States, but our year round climate is rather temperate and temperatures can reach into the 90’s during the summer. |
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Whether you're a professional considering a position in one of the many area businesses, an entrepreneur searching for a progressive and growing community, or a family looking for a safe, friendly place to raise your children, moving to Ketchikan is for you. Crime is low, the air is clean, business is booming, health care is advanced, education is a priority, and the real estate market is steady. Ketchikan is a great place to live, work, and play. Just visiting? Be sure to stop by the Ketchikan Visitors' Bureau for your free visitor's guide. Looking for online local news, columns and classified ads? The Ketchikan Daily News, The Local Paper, and KetchikanOnline.com are great sites to visit. |
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 Economy
~ Throughout
Ketchikan's history, various industries have shared the limelight providing
diversity to the first port-of-call along Alaska's much traveled Inside
Passage. When one industry waned, another one was in the wings
and able to take its place. Part of that pattern was the result of pioneer
vision, part was simply fortuitous, and the rest was plain hard work and
lobbying. Originally, Ketchikan's economy was based on fish
processing, followed by mining during the Gold Rush years, then again
by the seafood industry after the collapse of the world metals market.
When the fishing industry began to decline, the forest products industry
moved in to lead the economic parade for half a century. While the city's
economy is largely resource based, another stabilizing factor has been
its role as a transportation hub as well as a service, supply and government
center for Southern Southeast Alaska.
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Hard work and pioneer vision... |
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 Tourism is booming... |
In spite of the permanent
closure in March of 1997 of the Ketchikan Pulp Mill, the city's leading
industry for almost 50 years, Ketchikan remains optimistic about the future.
Every down has an up, and the midline is stability. The region's fishing
industry has diversified into other seafood species, a healthy sign for
the future. Sawmills still operate in spite of the closure of the pulp
mill. Tourism has boomed, with nearly one million cruise ship tourists
visiting Ketchikan from May through September - not to mention the ship's
crew members. Ketchikan has a ten-year old shipyard and an industrial
area is being built along the shoreline of a nearby island. Nearly
1 million visitors from May through September!
There were 848,969 cruise ship passengers in 2004 and a projected 877,054 for 2005. |
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Ketchikan's
civic leaders from every segment of government and the business community
are working together to develop new economic opportunities and for further
diversification of the economy.
Strong possibilities for the near future include a veneer plant, a fish
waste processor as well as an airplane manufacturer. As Ketchikan approaches
its 100th year in existence, the pioneer spirit and plain hard work continue
to shape Ketchikan's economic future, as was true in the past.
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 Education
~ The
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
School District prides itself on providing comprehensive and accelerated
schools to ensure that our youngsters
are ready for the next millennium. There are a variety of elementary
schools to choose from as well as several choices for secondary education.
But Ketchikan doesn’t stop there. The University
of Alaska Southeast campus overlooks the city and offers many degree
programs for those seeking to advance their education.
...a variety of schools to choose from. |
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 Healthcare
~ Ketchikan
prides itself on being at the forefront of modern healthcare.
With many private medical facilities,
dentists, opticians,
public health clinics, elder care facilities, and a modern, comprehensive
Ketchikan General
Hospital, the citizens of Southeast, Alaska are well taken care
of. Ketchikan can also boast an emergency
medical services team that has a response time in the top 2% of the
nation. With a network of services that extend to the lower 48
and other facilities in Alaska, you can rest assured that your health
is of prime concern to this community.
Our EMS team has a response time in the top 2% of the nation. |
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Visit
the Ketchikan
Gateway |
Activities ~ People
who love the outdoors will never lack for things to do in Ketchikan.
In summer you may enjoy sailing, camping or hiking on the many trails
maintained by the State.
In the winter there is ice skating, cross country skiing and snow
mobiling And of course, fishing
is popular all year
round! For those who enjoy more indoor activities
there are many exciting events held annually - the Salmon
Derby, the Blueberry Arts Festival, and the Winter Arts Festival
just to name a few. Ketchikan has one of the most thriving artistic
communities in the United States. There is also community theater
which offers many live productions throughout the year, dozens of
art galleries and several musical events featuring well known artists.
For more information on arts related activities, visit the Ketchikan
Arts Council.
Fishing, hiking, the arts and much, much more.... |
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Housing ~
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 Relocation
~ Moving
can
be a very stressful experience, especially if you are moving to such
a mysterious and rugged state as Alaska. The mystique of the
49th state is well known and brings to mind dog sleds, igloos and
polar bears wandering through frozen villages. Although you can find
those things in Alaska you won’t find them in Ketchikan. Let
us make your move a positive experience by helping you find everything
you need to make Ketchikan your home. We would be happy to send you
a Relocation Packet today. You
can also find local information at the Detailed
Community Data site.
Sorry,
in the "Salmon
Capital of the World"
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