Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce’s (WCOC) main mission is to support economic development for our members. The WCOC board of directors fully supports the new Wrangell Medical Center (WMC), but only if it is a stick built project. The benefits to the WCOC members will be substantially more with traditional on site construction, than if the project is built with modular construction. We ask that the City & Borough of Wrangell (CBW) and WMC work to do what is needed to make the project be built on site, not down south and barged to Wrangell, whether it be downsizing the project, building it in phases or securing more funding. The many workers that will make Wrangell home during the project will benefit all businesses and citizens of Wrangell. Jobs in Wrangell were the top priority discovered during WCOC scoping meetings last year. This is your chance CBW & WMC, to do the right thing. Don’t give our local jobs away to an outside down south contractor in another city. Build our medical center with Wrangell people.

So, Wrangell citizens, I urge you to talk with your assembly members and medical center board members and get all the facts before you vote. I have been assured by the mayor that the method of construction has not been decided upon yet. Please get out and make an informed vote.

John Taylor

President, Wrangell Chamber of Commerce