Haines Port Development Council

The board members of Haines Port Development Council are for sure and odd combination. All three have been on opposite sides of many issues in Haines for many years. The one constant for all three has been their interest in making Haines a better place. To that end we have come together and created " Haines Port Development Council" to market / promote the Haines Port.

You can see our web page at; http://www.hainesalaskaport.com/

The only reason the port has not had more activity over the many years is it simply has not been advertised. Now with the increased mining activity all over the north it is time to advertise our Haines Port. There is no need to take away from any other port. If only 10% of the proposed mining takes place in the Yukon the spill over from other ports will keep the Haines Port a very busy place.

While thinking of the mines bringing ore to Haines to be shipped out through our port one must remember the mines and related businesses will need goods and supplies shipped in. Along with the jobs created to do that, there will be business opportunities to supply those goods. So the ripple effect will help much of the economy.

Another thing that needs to be pointed out is that the way ore shipping is done today is a clean business. Ore trucks and trains are covered. The way ore is handled at the docks is clean, not the old cloud of dust.

Really the transshipment of ore, goods and supplies may be cleaner than our treasured tourism business. After all a comparative few trucks on the truck route is less disruption than a thousand or so people suddenly down town. Also the transshipment will be year round not just summer. How many locals remember Haines with a year round economy?

                                                      Bill Kurz