'Coffee chats' need public involvement

The borough’s Economic Development Department has a caffeinated idea to energize the community’s push for economic stability and, in time, some growth would be good, too.

The plan is for a series of “economic coffee chats” the third Friday of every month through March, starting Oct. 18. The location will vary each month.

The department is calling the informal sessions “Our Town, Our Future.”

It’s a good time to talk about a better future. Wrangell needs some new ideas to reverse years of population loss. Even worse, the state’s latest forecast predicts the town could drop to 1,400 residents by 2050 from 2,000 now.

Businesses continue to have problems hiring enough staff, and the borough has reported that sales tax revenues are starting to show weakness.

“Join us for informal discussions on the future of our community,” says in the invite in the first issue of the borough’s new economic development newsletter, which is part of a comprehensive public engagement effort with the monthly meetings. “Share your knowledge, generate ideas and take an active role in shaping our future.”

Residents have long talked about wanting more tourism, particularly independent travelers who book lodging, spend money on meals and take tours while in town. And the town has long debated just how much tourism is the right amount.

Industrial development, with its high-paying jobs, is a prize that most every city in Alaska hopes to attract, but the prospects are limited in a state that is far from markets and with higher operating costs than other locations.

A stronger commercial fishing industry would be great, but runs are not as strong as in the past, seafood markets and prices flop around as much as a large halibut on the deck, and it’s getting harder to keep younger people in the financially uncertain business.

The marine service industry has been a plus for Wrangell’s economy, but The Marine Service Center is running out of space.

In short, there are possibilities out there, but all have challenges. Which is why the community needs to put its rain gear-covered heads together and figure out what it wants, what it doesn’t want, what it can tolerate, and what needs to change to help rebuild Wrangell’s economy.

Coffee anyone?

- Wrangell Sentinel