EDA Intent to Award - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2026

EDA Signals Intent to Award Wrangell more than $43 Million in Historic Investment

Largest anticipated Federal economic development investment in Borough history would advance the Deepwater Port and shipyard, downtown waterfront, and critical water infrastructure

Wrangell, Alaska - The City and Borough of Wrangell is celebrating a historic milestone following U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan's public announcement that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) intends to award Wrangell more than $43 million for a transformational portfolio of three major infrastructure projects.

The anticipated investment would represent the largest Federal economic development funding package in Borough history, advancing Wrangell's Deepwater Port and future shipyard, Downtown Waterfront Expansion and Marine Infrastructure Improvements, and replacement of the community's critical water flume.

"This is a generational investment for Wrangell," said Borough Manager Mason Villarma. "There are moments when years of planning, persistence and partnership come together and fundamentally change what is possible for a community. This is one of those moments. EDA's intent to invest more than $43 million gives us the opportunity to strengthen critical infrastructure, transform our economy, and unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in additional public and private investment."

At the center of the investment is Wrangell's Deepwater Port and shipyard initiative, a major public-private development envisioned to establish the largest and most capable shipyard in Alaska and position Wrangell as a modern maritime industrial hub serving commercial vessels, the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, and military fleets. The project is being advanced through a partnership involving the City and Borough of Wrangell, JAG Marine Group, The Pearlson Group, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), and the Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA). The development is anticipated to create more than 150 permanent jobs and catalyze hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private investment.

The Borough emphasized that the development is also intended to complement the Ketchikan Shipyard and expand Southeast Alaska's overall shipbuilding and vessel repair capacity.

"Ketchikan and Wrangell have an opportunity to work together to grow Alaska's shipbuilding and vessel repair industry," Villarma said. "Today, too much of that work leaves Alaska for shipyards in the Lower 48. Given the close proximity of our communities and the abundance of maritime assets, infrastructure and skilled workforce between us, this is a natural fit."

The Borough credits Alaska's Congressional delegation-Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich-with working as a team for Wrangell and consistently advancing the community's infrastructure and economic development priorities in Washington.

"Wrangell has an extraordinary Congressional delegation, and they work as a team for our community," Villarma said. "Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Congressman Begich understand rural Alaska and that transformational projects like this require sustained federal partnership. When Wrangell has brought forward major priorities, our delegation has answered the call."

"Senator Sullivan helped us get this across the finish line. He understood the magnitude of what we were proposing and why it matters not just to Wrangell, but to Alaska and the country," Villarma continued.

The Borough also expressed its deep appreciation to Senator Murkowski, Congressman Begich, and their staffs for their continued advocacy and support.

"Different members of our delegation may carry the ball at different points, but they are a team-and they are a team that works for Wrangell," Villarma said.

While the Deepwater Port and shipyard represent the industrial anchor of the strategy, the anticipated EDA investment reaches across the community.

The Downtown Waterfront Expansion and Marine Infrastructure Improvements would strengthen Wrangell's working waterfront and support marine commerce, transportation, tourism, and private investment downtown.

The Water Flume Replacement would strengthen the reliability and resilience of Wrangell's municipal water system for residents, businesses, and future industrial development.

Together, the three projects form a coordinated strategy to strengthen Wrangell's existing infrastructure while creating the conditions for significant new economic growth.

The Borough also recognized the many partners responsible for reaching this milestone, including JAG Marine Group, The Pearlson Group, AIDEA, SEAPA, the Borough Assembly and Borough staff, as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce and EDA.

Wrangell pursued the funding through EDA's disaster recovery program following the devastating November 2023 landslide. Rather than simply seeking to recover, the Borough developed a portfolio intended to make Wrangell's economy stronger, more diversified and more resilient for generations.

"Wrangell has always been a working waterfront community," Villarma said. "Now we have the opportunity to take that heritage and build something that can serve Alaska and the country for generations."

"This is Wrangell's moment."

For more information, please contact:

Office of the Borough Manager

907-874-2381

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