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Economy ~ Education ~ Healthcare ~ Activities ~ Housing ~ Relocation |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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
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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
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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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