(SitNews) Wrangell, Alaska - Southeast Conference announced the 2014 winners for the Southeast Alaska business and community of the year. These awards were presented in Wrangell during Southeast Conference’s annual meeting. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements by companies and municipalities making positive economic impacts in the region.

The Southeast Alaska Business of the Year for 2014 is Samson Tug & Barge, a marine freight company based in Sitka. The company started as a horse and cart operation in Juneau during its early mining era, and has been providing marine transportation since 1937. Founded by the Baggen family in the early 1900’s, the company is currently run by George Baggen and his daughter Cory Baggen.

Shawn Richardson accepted the award on behalf of Samson Tug and Barge. The award was presented by Gordy Wrobel – Past President of Southeast Conference.
Photo courtesy Southeast Conference

In 2014 Samson Tug & Barge demonstrated an innovative spirit, showed exceptional growth, and provided a regional contribution to the Southeast Alaska business climate. In November 2013 the company expanded Southeast Alaska ports of call to include Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Thorne Bay, Craig, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Juneau, as well as expanding their existing Sitka operations.

Lori Blood, President of Southeast Conference lauded the Samson Tug and Barge saying, “The 2014 Southeast Alaska Business Award goes to an organization that is helping to grow the maritime sector of Southeast Alaska, is positively impacting people’s lives by providing increased access to freight, and elevating the regional economy.”

Shawn Richardson accepted the award on behalf of Samson Tug and Barge. Richardson leads the entire Southeast region for Samson and has overseen the company’s transition back into Southeast Alaska. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the Baggen family and all of the Sampson employees. I want to thank the public that has supported us, and all of the support that is represented by this award.”

City of Pelican Mayor, Patricia Phillips accepted the award on behalf of the community. The award was presented by Gordy Wrobel – Past President of Southeast Conference.
Photo courtesy Southeast Conference

The Southeast Alaska Community of the Year for 2014 is Pelican selected for the successful work it has accomplished in ice making.

In 2014, the City of Pelican began making, storing, and delivering ice to commercial fishing vessels and tenders from across the region. Because ice requires water and affordable electricity, the community also replaced its fresh water system and refurbished its hydroelectric generation plant as part of this process. The City of Pelican Ice Machine project received $800,000 from the Southeast Alaska Chinook Salmon Fishery Mitigation Program to improve the quality for commercial troll caught salmon.

Icy Straits Seafoods and Hoonah Cold Storage operate the City of Pelican ice machine at a fish buying station at the Pelican Seafoods unloading dock. Ice generates economic activity in Pelican, income for the City, and has created 6 jobs on the dock and fish buying station. Ice is part of a comprehensive endeavor by the City of Pelican to return fish processing to the community and rebuild the economy.
Lori Blood, President of Southeast Conference explained why Pelican received the award. “This year’s Community Award goes to a town has worked diligently to support the region’s seafood sector. This is a community that solves problems, drives innovation and by doing so has created jobs in a place that needed them the most.”

City of Pelican Mayor, Patricia Phillips accepted the award on behalf of the community and expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “Pelican Ice is more than just frozen water. The benefits to the community are immense. It’s wonderful to have the economic activity from the commercial fishing fleet icing up in Pelican; as well as the higher quality seafood that comes from well-iced fish.”

Source of News: 

Southeast Conference
www.seconference.org

With more than 180 member organizations, Southeast Conference includes nearly every community in the region, Southeast Conference serves as the collective voice for advancing the region’s economy.

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