What's new?
Sitka Employment Update
(PDF, 96 kb)
November 2007
SEDA's 2006 to 2010
Strategic Plan
An updated strategic plan will be available soon.
State of Sitka's Economy 2008 (PDF, 328 KB)
A presentation
by Eric McDowell
March 25, 2008
(PPT, 324 KB)
Sitka Economic Profile 2005
Prepared for the
City and Borough of Sitka
By the McDowell Group
October 2006
Sitka is the fifth largest city in Alaska with a population of 8,644. It is located in the outer coast of Baranof Island, part of the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska, facing the Pacific Ocean and along the great circle air route to Japan, Korea, China, and Southeast Asia. It is also a port of call by major cruise lines that travel the Inside Passage in summer.
No roads connect Sitka to the rest of the State but it is easily accessible by air and water transportation. Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) System, three barge lines, major courier service such as USPS, FedEx and UPS all support Sitka’s movement of both passengers and goods from or to the West Coast and the communities of Southeast Alaska.
The climate in Sitka is very similar to Seattle, with moderate temperatures and lush green forests. Wildlife and fish abound including all five species of Pacific Salmon, grizzly bears, bald eagles and many species of migratory birds. Nature-based tourism generated over $70 million in the Sitka area in 2005.
Sitka’s labor force is highly educated and considered to be industrious, creative and independent minded. Many in the labor force are underemployed and anxious for an opportunity to improve themselves and work in a challenging field of endeavor. Sitkans are also extremely well connected to the Internet with dial-up, DSL and cable modem services.
Sitka is fortunate to be able to embrace and nurture several economic engines which make it the most diversified economy in Alaska: healthcare, education, tourism, government, and seafood processing. Sitka is best known for the quality, quantity and variety of seafood harvested in Sitka waters and processed by four major fish processing companies. It ranks 6th as the largest port by value in the United States and 19th by volume.
Each summer Sitka welcomes 250,000 cruise ship passengers who bring great excitement and economic stimulus. Opportunities are open for new businesses desiring to serve the growing tourism markets in Southeast Alaska.
Sitka also has State permits to export 26 million gallons per day of pristine, fresh water. The local government is developing a marine industrial park that includes a large capacity water delivery system. This project will allow Sitka to market its abundant fresh water to the world.
Come join us in Southeast Alaska!
SEDA turns 11!
We will be celebrating our 11th year anniversary this year. SEDA was established on January 23, 1997 by a committee of the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commmerce who brought together concepts and ideas on how to steer Sitka's economy to a positive direction following the closure of Alaska Pulp Corporation in 1993. The committee realized that Sitkans would have to take it upon themselves to turn adversity into opportunities and build on those opportunities to keep the economy moving forward. Along with this realization was the recognition of the need for an organized and cohesive economic development program. Thus, the team evolved into a non-profit organization that came to be known as Sitka Economic Development Association.
Sitka Economic Development Association