 Says Local Control of Ketchikan Drydock Important to Southeast Economy June 16, 2002
"The Ketchikan shipyard has been a real success, providing high quality service to the marine transportation industry, and providing up to 200 jobs for local Ketchikan residents," Murkowski said. "While the decision by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority not to renew Alaska Shipyard and Dock's contract is disappointing, I encourage all parties to work together to find a way to keep local management, and local jobs, in Ketchikan." Owned by AIDEA and leased by Alaska Shipyard and Drydock (ASD), the shipyard has an active business repairing and servicing marine vessels operating in Alaska waters. ASD's five-year contract expires July 15, but instead of renewing it for another five years, the AIDEA board voted Thursday to grant only a three-month extension. The extension is aimed at allowing the agency to negotiate to hand over management to the city and borough governments, who could then subcontract to ASD or other operators. "Ketchikan's economy has taken some enormous hits in recent years, and it is important to do everything possible to keep the jobs and other economic benefits of this facility in Ketchikan," Murkowski said. "It is imperative that these critical jobs are not lost to Outside economic interests that might not share our commitment to local control, and that we provide this shipyard with the stability it needs to take on new long-term projects." Murkowski said, "The Ketchikan shipyard has built a solid reputation of quality work, done on time and under budget. With good faith negotiations by AIDEA and the Ketchikan city and borough authorities, and due concern for the high stakes involved, I believe it will be possible to find a solution that will build a stronger economy for Southeast Alaska, and preserve a brighter future for its residents."
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