Investment Impacts
Summary
The waterfront, port redevelopment, and infrastructure resiliency efforts are designed to unlock both public and private investment in Wrangell. By modernizing infrastructure, improving marine access, and preparing industrial lands for development, these projects create the conditions necessary for business expansion, new industry recruitment, and long-term job growth. The goal is not short-term activity, but sustained economic stability driven by coordinated investment, workforce alignment, and strategic infrastructure improvements.
Deep Water Port Redevelopment
This investment supports the creation and retention of skilled, family-wage jobs across welding, machining, electrical, mechanical, construction, and marine trades, and provides a strong platform for workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities. By enabling maritime fabrication, vessel repair, scrap metal processing, and expanded construction capacity, the Deep-Water Port reduces critical infrastructure barriers and improves operational reliability. Coupled with enhanced utility resilience, these improvements position Wrangell as a regional hub for maritime fabrication and marine industrial services, strengthening long-term economic resilience, workforce stability, and overall competitiveness.
Waterfront Expansion
These investments expand seasonal capacity and improve reliability, enabling greater use of the waterfront beyond peak summer months. Enhanced space and infrastructure create opportunities for events, conferences, maritime gatherings, and sporting activities, generating business activity during shoulder and off seasons and smoothing seasonal economic fluctuations. The project supports jobs for young adults, families, and seasonal workers, strengthens pathways into marine trades and fabrication services, supports tourism growth while maintaining a working waterfront, and improves Wrangell’s competitiveness as a regional maritime hub serving both industrial and visitor-based maritime activity.
Water Resiliency (Flume Replacement) Improvements
The Water Resiliency (Flume Replacement) project is critical to utility resilience and economic recovery following disasters, strengthening Wrangell’s ability to withstand and recover from system disruptions. Expanded and more reliable water capacity supports the continued operation and expansion of water-dependent industries, including seafood processing, restaurants, manufacturing, and technology-based operations. Improved utility reliability also increases Wrangell’s overall growth capacity, supporting future residential development and industrial land expansion. By reducing the risk of system failure and improving long-term reliability, this project increases certainty for existing users and provides confidence for future industrial and private investors who depend on a dependable water supply for operations and growth.
