“Heaven on Earth” – it’s the popular sentiment of residents living in Southeast Alaska. If you’ve ever taken an Alaskan cruise no doubt it was through the Southeast Panhandle where miles of wild beauty delights the eye.
It’s no wonder Southeast Alaska is a premier destination for U.S. and international travelers. With that in mind, it may come as a surprise this singularly picturesque region has endured an economic hardship that continues to loom over its residents. Since the downturn of the once thriving timber industry the majority of rural communities in Southeast have experienced a downturn in their local economy along with declining populations, fewer job opportunities and increasing energy costs.
