What Does the Chamber of Commerce Do?
- Our Mission: The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce is organized to encourage leadership by business and professional individuals to improve business relations, economic well-being and the quality of living in Ketchikan for the benefit of the entire community. To accomplish this, our Chamber is dedicated to:
- promoting and improving the economy by increasing the tax base, encouraging business prospects and investments, and providing a constant level of employment by supporting the local job market.
- keeping the community informed on current government issues, maintaining accurate date and informational material on the local business climate, and providing answers to specific inquiries.
- improving and developing the areas of natural and human resources by becoming involved in the education system, environmental effects on employment and recreation, cultural influences and government issues. The Chamber has earned recognition and respect for presenting workable solutions to a variety of community situations.
- uniting with local business and professional people, as well as individuals to form a working partnership to accomplish things that most people think just happen! Through coordinated efforts under effective leadership, the Chamber can achieve civic, commercial and community advancement.
Chamber Goals
The Chamber Advocates:
- community economic development
- commercial and industrial development
- improving Ketchikan’s quality of life through Chamber activities
- informing our members and the community on important issues
- developing a regional, statewide and national issue priority list
The Chamber Supports and Encourages:
- one local government entity for Ketchikan
- design and construction of additional boat harbors
- waste management
- construction of a Tongass Avenue by-pass route
- Ketchikan as the southern hub of the Alaska Marine Highway System with feeder service to Bellingham and other points north
- maximum amount of harvested timber that also allows for protection of other resources
- Tongass Avenue improvements
- construction of a transportation/utility corridor
- utilization of a U.S. Forest Service timber harvest to further transportation link with mainland and recreation opportunities
- construction of a hardlink to Gravina Island · development of an industrial facility at Lewis Reef on Gravina Island suitable for fisheries, pollution abatement and transportation related activities
Profile of the Chamber
Since June 11, 1900, Ketchikan has had several Chamber of Commerce organizations. The objective of the early association was to further the best interests of Southeast Alaska and the Ketchikan district in particular.
Today the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce has much the same philosophy. The current Chamber was incorporated in May of 1967 during the “Alaska Purchase” centennial year, with the purpose of promoting balanced community growth.
Currently, our Chamber of Commerce is made up of close to 400 business, professional and individual members. The Chamber focuses its time on issues as well as events, and offers something for everyone.
Some projects which were initiated in the early years of the Chamber, such as the 4th of July Parade, have become annual community events.
The Chamber of Commerce serves as an information source for individuals and businesses interested in relocating to our area. Questions are answered and packets are distributed to those who inquire about our area.
The Chamber office is staffed full time by an executive director and administrative assistant. Volunteer directors and committee chairs plan and coordinate the Chamber’s activities, which are ied out by even more volunteers along with the staff.
