Industry Transformation Coalition
Over the past year, the City and Borough of Wrangell (CBW) convened the Wrangell Industry Transformation Coalition at varying levels to support coordinated planning, investment alignment, and grant development related to waterfront, port, and infrastructure redevelopment.
The Coalition was formed to ensure that public infrastructure planning aligns with private-sector investment, workforce needs, cultural priorities, and long-term economic resilience, particularly as the Borough advances projects through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Supplemental Grant program.
Purpose
The Coalition exists to:
- Align public infrastructure with private investment timelines
- Coordinate across industries, regulatory agencies, and community partners
- Strengthen workforce development and education pathways
- Support collaboration with tribal governments and Native organizations
- Integrate engineering, economic, and planning expertise into decision-making
- Identify shared infrastructure and land use needs
- Promote transparent communication with the community
- Demonstrate broad-based partnership for federal and state funding
The Coalition does not replace formal board or Assembly authority. All land use, lease approvals, and funding decisions remain subject to public process.
Membership
Membership includes representatives from:
- Marine freight and logistics operators
- Ship fabrication and industrial businesses
- Energy and utility providers
- Tourism and cruise partners
- Emerging technology and data infrastructure firms
- Educational institutions and workforce training providers
- Tribal governments and other local organizations
- Engineering firms and technical design consultants
- Economists and economic impact analysts
- Master planning and public engagement professionals
- Borough administration and project consultants
Participation reflects both existing businesses and prospective investors, as well as the technical and planning experts supporting feasibility, design, economic modeling, and community engagement.
Process
The Coalition operates through structured working groups and coordinated meetings focused on:
- Project scope and infrastructure needs
- Private investment commitments and timelines
- Engineering feasibility and design coordination
- Economic impact modeling and funding strategy
- Workforce alignment and training pathways
- Tribal coordination and cultural considerations
- Public engagement planning and transparency
Members contribute through surveys, letters of support, investment projections, technical review, feasibility analysis, and participation in public panels and roundtables.
Meetings
The Coalition has met regularly throughout 2025–2026 in preparation for the EDA grant submission and ongoing project refinement. Meetings have included:
- Full Coalition strategy sessions
- Industry and workforce roundtables
- Technical coordination meetings with engineers and planners
- Economic modeling and data review sessions
- Public-facing panels and town halls
Meeting outcomes have informed feasibility studies, lease structures, engineering priorities, economic projections, workforce planning, and phased implementation strategies.
Moving Forward
The Coalition will continue to serve as a coordination platform as projects move into design, permitting, financing, and construction phases.
Wrangell’s economic revival and industry transformation strategy is built on partnership between industry, education, tribal leadership, engineering and planning expertise, and community voice. The Coalition reflects that shared commitment to long-term economic stability, opportunity, and responsible growth.
