Like many western frontier towns, Juneau's original economy balanced on the fate of a single industry. From the moment gold was discovered in 1880, it provided a stable economic base and plenty of good jobs and made this area the largest mining center in Alaska. It was on the basis of mining income that the first investments in infrastructure were made: official civilian town government, a hospital and electric generation represent a few of the early milestones. Other industries, like fishing, transportation and government were naturally attracted to Juneau, in large part for that infrastructure.

Almost from the beginning, Juneau was an important transportation and center for commerce. When the Klondike gold rush began, Juneau was the last major stop before Skagway. People in the upper Panhandle naturally looked to Juneau for re-supply in the days before airplanes and the internet. Even today, many make the trip to the "big city" for their major and important purchases like cars and health care.

The turn of the twentieth century saw Juneau enter the business of government as the capital of the Territory of Alaska. As global markets changed and local veins of gold-bearing ore played out, Juneau became increasingly reliant on its role as a seat of government, treading dangerously close to becoming a one-shop town again. Downturns in the national economy led to a community-backed effort to diversify our economic base and foster sustainable industries which would in turn create and retain living-wage jobs.

Today, there is a larger range of industry in Juneau than ever before. Tourism, entrepreneurial spirit and a resurgence of mining all fueled this tremendous turnaround. Find out about some of Juneau's natural benefits for businesses:

. . . A place of beauty - makes recruitment a snap!

With a population of just over 30,000, Juneau has a regional medical center, an airport with GPS navigational aids and internet cafes! How does such a small town maintain such cosmopolitan comforts? Visit our Recreation page to find out a few of the perks Juneau businesses have to offer their potential employees.

. . . A natural deep water port aids fishing, tourism and transportation industries

Juneau's natural deep water port has sufficient docks and moorage for four cruise ships to visit in one day without blocking our regular freight ships. Fishing and fish processing have been important industries in Juneau since the early 1900's.

Speaking of cruise ships, vacationers visit from all points of the globe to view the spectacular scenery, dive the world-famous Shrine of St. Therese and fish for wild, natural halibut and salmon. But, not all of our visitors come via the major cruise lines. Over 100,000 independent travelers came to Juneau last year, by plane and by Alaska Marine Highway ferries. The Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau provides a wonderful resource for anyone considering Juneau as their next port of call!

. . . Juneau, the capital of Alaska

Being the seat of state government means that the State employees you need are right here in Juneau. Whether you have questions about employment taxes, permitting, or student loans, the personnel who know those subjects best are in one place - Juneau. Here is a link to the State's website.

Private investments in technology like fiber optic cables citywide and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) at our airport have made Juneau accessible physically and virtually. Nearly every home and place of business in Juneau has access to cable modem service, a tremendous advantage in today's wired world. With typical Alaskan ingenuity, Alaska Airlines met the challenge of operating in a rainforest by installing modern GPS technology in their planes - making it easier than ever to come to Juneau.

. . . Manufacturing in the Inside Passage

Small and not-so-small businesses create products from trusses to jewelry in Juneau. For more information about businesses in Juneau, contact our Chamber of Commerce.

. . . Medical care for northern Southeast Alaska

Southeast Alaskans look to Juneau for medical care because Bartlett Regional Hospital provides a range of services not available in most cities of 30,000. Some of the specialized care available to patients at Bartlett Regional are a cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program, on-site MRI, and the new Bartlett Beginnings family birth center. As a regional facility, Bartlett attracts experienced and highly qualified medical staff and independent medical support services, so you can be assured of the highest standard of care.