Report: Ferry system spending had double economic impact

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) – A newly released

study found that every dollar put into the Alaska Marine Highway System has double the economic benefit to

Alaska.

The state contributed $117 million in general funds to the ferry system in 2014. The report from the McDowell Group, which was funded by the ferry system, shows that the total economic impact was $273 million, The Ketchikan Daily News reported.

According to the study, the ferry system is responsible for 1,017 jobs and indirectly responsible for 683 jobs, which would be for people employed by businesses benefiting from state ferries.

Gov. B...