(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), together with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough announced last week the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the construction of a new moorage facility in Ketchikan. The new facility will provide berthing for Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ships and could also have the capacity to dock National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessels.

“This important development for Ketchikan is part of Governor Parnell’s plan to foster economic growth and create new jobs in the region,” said AIDEA Executive Director Ted Leonard. “We are pleased that the governor sought and received funding from the Legislature for this vital project, and that he encouraged collaboration among the parties to accelerate its development.”

The Alaska Marine Highway System currently uses a moorage facility adjacent to AIDEA’s Ketchikan Shipyard. The new facility would be located at Ward Cove and would allow Ketchikan Shipyard to expand its operations and add jobs. NOAA would have the opportunity for a moorage facility for the Fairweather, a 241 ft. hydrographic survey vessel. The Fairweather and its approximately 40 member crew are supposed to be homeported in Ketchikan, but a lack of a functional berth in the community has kept the vessel outside of Alaska.

The Parnell administration has been working to bring this concept to life since 2009. Under terms of the Agreement, AIDEA and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough will work with the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities to build the moorage facility.

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority is a public corporation of the state. AIDEA’s purpose is to promote, develop and advance the general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of Alaska.

Source of News: 

Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
www.aidea.org

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