Ketchikan’s Chamber of Commerce is looking for ways to attract workers who are no longer tied to a physical office to the First City. Executive Director Michelle O’Brien is set to pitch Ketchikan’s Borough Assembly Monday on a remote worker recruitment program.
The Chamber is requesting $10,000 from the Borough for partial funding of the program. It secured another $10,000 from Ketchikan’s City Council last month, but that’s contingent on matching funds from the borough.
One element of the project is a so-called “try it before you move” incentive program. Some 25 individuals or couples would be invited to Ketchikan for a four-day “Workcation” where they could try out working remotely and learn more about the community. According to the proposal, this would be funded by in-kind donations of goods and services from local and state companies.
Another goal includes launching a digital marketing campaign targeting not only those living in key cities, but also those seeking a family-friendly community with high speed internet. O’Brien also proposes a new website targeted at outsiders with photos and videos of the community.
The initial goal is to have 5 or 6 individuals or families move to Ketchikan in 2021.
The assembly isn’t expected to act on the $10,000 request Monday.
The Assembly meeting begins Monday at 5:30 p.m. and can be accessed through local cable channels and on the borough website. It will not be physically open to the public due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Chamber Remote Worker Proposal – 6926_Remote_Workers_Proposal_Ketchikan_Chamber_of_Commerce_V2
Chamber Website Estimate 6926_Chamber_of_Commerce_Website_and_Ads_Estimate_10-26-20
