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Fishing and Seafood Processing
Wrangell has a healthy fishing industry targeting salmon, halibut, crab, shrimp, and other species along with a burgeoning dive fishery. The versatile Wrangell fishing fleet includes small day boats to large 200-ton tenders, which include seiners, gillnetters, trollers, trawlers, pot fishermen, long-liners and divers.There are three seafood-processing companies in Wrangell processing for fresh and frozen markets and a fourth custom smoke and packaging facility. Many of the commercial fishermen individually process and market their own fish as well. Centrally located, Wrangell fishermen have access to all Southeast Alaska fishing grounds. Barge and transportation companies provide competitive transportation for gear and product.
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A boat offloads at a seafood processing plant |
Ports and Water Oriented Development
Wrangell Harbors have diversified facilities, with on-going plans to up-grade. Engineering design plans for a new deep draft 250-stall harbor are almost complete, and construction will begin in 2002. The Port Commission is pursuing plans for a marine repair yard and boat haul out facility. There are large storage areas for boats and gear and land for further development.
Wood Products
Wrangell, located in the heart of the Tongass National Forest has always relied on the timber harvesting and processing industry for local jobs. Although forest related jobs in southeast Alaska have been severely reduced in the last several years, in part due to National policy issues, Wrangell is trying to maintain timber related jobs. Wrangell has a large sawmill operated by Silver Bay Logging Inc. and encourages wood product development by smaller operators. There are also several small wood product manufacturers contributing to the secondary wood product-manufacturing component of the economy.
Retail/Commercial
Residents also enjoy a variety of retail stores and commercial services. Wrangell businesses are not seasonal business, closing down for the winter, but continue to service the needs of the residents. The list of services and products is comprehensive: grocery stores, hardware stores, home building supply centers, gift stores, galleries, drugstore, clothing stores, florist, computer consulting and desktop publishing services to name a few. Visit the Business Directory and the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce website to find the business or service you are interested in.
Artist's Haven
Wrangell has a growing and talented artist community. Local artists work in all mediums – print, paints, sculptures, carving, music and the list goes on. Several renowned artists reside in Wrangell. In April during the Garnet Festival, the annual Southeast Alaska Art Festival provides the community and students around Alaska a week to immerse in a variety of creative workshops.
Hand woven baskets
Tourism
Tourism is a growing sector of the economy. Wrangell is seeing a slow growth in the independent traveler. Many consider the community off the beaten path, but visitors experience a true, friendly, working Alaskan community, with all types of activities to participate in. Large and small cruiseships do call on Wrangell (averaging 1 large, several small ships a week) but the number of ports of call fluctuates year by year. There are many charter operators to provide excitement and things to do: historical and nature driving or walking tours, fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities, Stikine River trips by boat or plane, canoe and kayaking excursions and trips to Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory to view black and brown bears up-close and personal, to name a few of the activities.
Industrial
There are also numerous industrial oriented businesses, many focusing on the maritime nature of the community. Barge and tug companies, boat shop and boat repair services, machine shop, welding, and construction companies. The City currently has Industrially zoned lots (with necessary infrastructure) for sale over the counter, less than half a mile from the Wrangell Airport.
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A business at Wrangell’s Industrial Park |
Mining
An airborne geophysical exploration survey was flown in 1997 for Wrangell and surrounding areas in a cooperative effort with the City, the State and federal Bureau of Land Management, hoping to generate additional mining interest in the region. The results of the survey are available from the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources, Geological and Geophysical surveys.
Telecommunications
Wrangell is connected to the World Wide Web via broadband internet/data services including wireless, DSL or 56K dial up. The access has opened up numerous educational and business opportunities for the residents of Wrangell, and offers excellent growth potential in the telecommunication sector of our economy for businesses seeking to relocate.
 
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