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Home > Economic Development > Economic Opportunities
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Well Placed Location
Skagway is located at the northern terminus of the Lynn Canal, the largest fjord in North America.
This inter-modal transshipment hub provides a vital link between marine and highway transport
into and out of Southeast Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Arctic regions.
The port and highway offer year round connections and are the most cost effective shipping route
north. The port provides a two day shipping advantage between the Yukon's rich resource
reserves and Pacific Rim and South Asian markets. The port also offers the opportunity to
transship chilled fish, seafood products, and other value-added resources to Europe via
Whitehorse International Airport.
The port also caters to a large fleet of cruise ships which visit Skagway from May to September. In
2006 there will be 33 ships making a total of 496 visits. These ships will bring to Skagway over
750,000 passengers and approximately 350,000 crew members. Annually there is over $100
million spent in Skagway.
Skagway is located at the northern terminus of the Lynn Canal, the largest fjord in North America.
This inter-modal transshipment hub provides a vital link between marine and highway transport
into and out of Southeast Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Arctic regions.
The port and highway offer year round connections and are the most cost effective shipping route
north. The port provides a two day shipping advantage between the Yukon's rich resource
reserves and Pacific Rim and South Asian markets. The port also offers the opportunity to
transship chilled fish, seafood products, and other value-added resources to Europe via
Whitehorse International Airport.
The port also caters to a large fleet of cruise ships which visit Skagway from May to September. In
2006 there will be 33 ships making a total of 496 visits. These ships will bring to Skagway over
750,000 passengers and approximately 350,000 crew members. Annually there is over $100
million spent in Skagway.
Skilled and Qualified Workforce
The workforce in Skagway's private sector is divided between the summer seasonal employees
and the year round employees. The summer seasonal employees are very often college students
working during their summer vacation and have a wide variety of skills. A growing trend is for
older and retired folk coming to Skagway for the summer and working on a seasonal basis. The
capabilities of this group are impressive and at the same time their training requirements are
minimal.
The summer workforce is predominately based in the visitor retail and tours sectors. This
seasonal workforce is approximately three times the year round population. The services that
these seasonal businesses provide are vital to the cruise and independent visitors that visit
Skagway.
The public sector plays a significant role in the Skagway community, especially in the winter.
Local, State, and Federal employees make up almost 35% of the winter workforce. Skagway's
winter economy is considerably slower than that in the summer, although, the total number of
employed has increased significantly since 2000. These numbers probably reflect the robust
winter construction industry as the commercial retail center continues to expand to meet growing
demand.
The workforce in Skagway's private sector is divided between the summer seasonal employees
and the year round employees. The summer seasonal employees are very often college students
working during their summer vacation and have a wide variety of skills. A growing trend is for
older and retired folk coming to Skagway for the summer and working on a seasonal basis. The
capabilities of this group are impressive and at the same time their training requirements are
minimal.
The summer workforce is predominately based in the visitor retail and tours sectors. This
seasonal workforce is approximately three times the year round population. The services that
these seasonal businesses provide are vital to the cruise and independent visitors that visit
Skagway.
The public sector plays a significant role in the Skagway community, especially in the winter.
Local, State, and Federal employees make up almost 35% of the winter workforce. Skagway's
winter economy is considerably slower than that in the summer, although, the total number of
employed has increased significantly since 2000. These numbers probably reflect the robust
winter construction industry as the commercial retail center continues to expand to meet growing
demand.
Cooperative Business Climate
The economic climate is robust and conducive to business. There are over 300 business
licenses issued in Skagway each year generating over $100 million. The potential for economic
expansion in Skagway is significant with a corresponding return on your investment.
One of Skagway's major draws is its downtown Historic District. This is the main retail district in
Skagway and generates a considerable portion of the community's total revenue each year. The
Historic District covers a 14 block area and sees over one million visitors each year.
The economic climate is robust and conducive to business. There are over 300 business
licenses issued in Skagway each year generating over $100 million. The potential for economic
expansion in Skagway is significant with a corresponding return on your investment.
One of Skagway's major draws is its downtown Historic District. This is the main retail district in
Skagway and generates a considerable portion of the community's total revenue each year. The
Historic District covers a 14 block area and sees over one million visitors each year.
| WP&YR Railroad engines across Broadway Photo: Tom Matys |
| Businesses for Lease or Sale Business For Sale: HAVEN CAFÉ. Fun, successful, creative year-round business. Serious inquiries only! haven-cafe.com or 907-983-3553. Commercial Property for Sale: Downtown Historic District on 5th Ave. Lot & Building. Call 907-983-2688. Commercial Property for Lease: Downtown Historic District on 5th Ave just off Broadway. Approximately 400 sq. ft. Call 907-983-2688. Gas Station for Lease: 4th & Main, Contact Mark 907-612-0101 Thriving Seasonal Tour Business for Sale: Established clientele, good income, great growth potential. Optional real estate provides housing and additional income. Serious inquiries only: 907-983-2511 or tours@frontierexcursions.com For Lease: Commercial property in Historic Skagway for 2006. We have Broadway spaces located at 2nd,3,5,6,7 Avenues. There are 9 new Broadway spaces being built for 2007. Inquire about existing spaces which become available from time to time and to get on the availability mailing list. Visit our buildings www.skagwayoutlet.com Dennis Corrington: Phone: 907-983-3089 or Cell: 314-308-4774 nanden@aptalaska.net P.O. Box 322 Skagway, Alaska 99840 |
| Broadway with Mt. Harding in the background Photo: Dave Moore |
| Copyright © 2004-2006 ~ Skagway Development Corporation All Rights Reserved ~ Comments to Webmaster Site Map l Disclaimer |
| Potential Business Opportunities Following is a list of business opportunities and niches that at present are not provided for in Skagway. These are ideas that have been mentioned by members of the business community and residents. |
Bottled Water Plant
Micro-Brewery
Light Manufacturing
Cold Storage/Ice Plant
Transshipment Services
Storage and Warehousing
Micro-Brewery
Light Manufacturing
Cold Storage/Ice Plant
Transshipment Services
Storage and Warehousing
Housing Development
Plumbers
Electrical Contractors
Software Development
Software and Hardware Services
Computer Repairs
Plumbers
Electrical Contractors
Software Development
Software and Hardware Services
Computer Repairs
B&B's
Hotels
Winter Based Tourism
Bank/Credit Union
Western Union Agent
Hotels
Winter Based Tourism
Bank/Credit Union
Western Union Agent
Marine Services including:
- Repairs and Servicing of Gas Engines,
Outdrives & Outboards - Marine Detailing
- Canvas Work
- Marine Upholstery
- Small Boat Building
Cottage Industries
Arts and Crafts based Ventures
Commercial Art
Administrative Services
Arts and Crafts based Ventures
Commercial Art
Administrative Services
Economic and Business Opportunities
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| Skagway Development Corporation |
| "No matter how well a business is run, it is only as good as the product it produces." Vince McMahon |