A long-running Alaska utility provider is moving its headquarters from Washington state to Ketchikan.
In a written announcement Monday, Alaska Power & Telephone Company (AP&T) said they made the decision due to Ketchikan’s proximity to many of their service areas. They also mentioned Ketchikan’s convenient flight to Seattle and regular barge access to the Lower 48.
AP&T currently serves more than 40 communities throughout Alaska, specializing in rural locations like Prince of Wales Island and Metlakatla in Southeast, all the way to Bettles above the Arctic Circle. Those services include internet, electricity, and telephone connections, depending on the location. In 2022, the company completed construction of an undersea fiber optic cable connecting Prince of Wales Island to the U.S. mainland north of Juneau.
The headquarters move was lauded by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, who called it “an investment in the Southeast region,” and “a vote of confidence in the future of our state.”
The company said they considered a number of other Alaska locations but settled on Ketchikan after outreach from the city and borough mayors and Chamber of Commerce. In the written announcement, both mayors shared their excitement in welcoming AP&T to the community.
