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THE SKAGWAY NEWS.
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November 10, 2023
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Sk a g w ay, A l a s k a
Alaska X receives stewardship award at ATIA conference in Fairbanks
By Gretchen Wehmhoff Skagway business Alaska X, owned by Christy and Robert Murphy, was honored at the annual Alaska Tourism Industry Association in Fairbanks in October. The Murphys received the Stan Stephens Stewardship Award, a tribute to Alaska marine business owner, Stan Stephens, who is credited with advocating for the preservation and responsible care of Alaska’s wilderness and marine areas. Stephens operated marine tours primarily in Prince William Sound and, after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March 1989, dedicated his life to preserving and protecting the area. Beth Smith, owner of The Station Bar and Grill, Morning Wood Hotel and Happy Endings’s Saloon in Skagway, nominated Alaska X for the award. Based on Smith’s nomination, the business was selected as the next recipient. Since 2015, Robert Murphy will be the sixth winner of the Stephens award which is only presented during years when a qualified recipient is nominated. Skagway Tourism Director Jaime Bricker was on hand to introduce Murphy and present the award. (see her ntroduction on page 4.) “The whole room stood on their feet to applaud,” said Bricker. Robert Murphy was touched by Smith’s nomination. “That was incredibly sweet of her to do that and I could say thank you 100 times to her, but you know, there’s other people out there that would be deserving of these awards, too. So we’re very fortunate to have someone like Beth who would nominate a Skagway business and put us out there.” Murphy said. Murphy started Alaska X just two years after graduating from Skagway School in 1991. He worked with his university professors to start late in the semester and leave a little early in order to meet the tourism demands of the business. He says he transferred colleges quite a bit, primarily chasing his wife, Christy, around. They will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in January. “I had to pay for school out of my pocket. So I started this business up here to pay for school. And really, it just took off. It started with a van and then two vans and a couple buses and then we got into fishing charters, horseback riding. Then we got into dog mushing and added ziplining and ATVs,” Murphy said. Murphy enjoys watching the reactions of their guests. “They waited to go to Alaska their whole life. And this was their most enjoyable experience. It makes you feel great.” Alaska X employs between 130 and 150 workers during the tourist season. Around 20 employees work year-round. The company owns 160 acres in Dyea and most of their programs are carried out on private land, although Murphy says they do have a few permits for other land use. Murphy says that creating a sustainable business is important. “I tell our crew, you know, anyone can take a tree down, but you can’t put one back – it takes 100 years to put that (see page 4-Sustainable)
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Photo provided by Alaska X
Skagway Tourism Director Jaime Bricker presents Skagway business owner Robert Murphy of Alaska X the Stan Stephens Stewardship Award at the annual Alaska Tourism Industry Association (ATIA) conference in Fairbanks in October. In addition, ATIA recognized the following Skagway residents in their memorial tribute: Del Almond, Alan L. Anderson, Anthony Bowers, Harry Adrian Bricker, George Butt, James Cook, Fred Hosford, Bea Lingle, Howard Mallory and Al Mosley. “Our industry knows that world class hospitality is dependent upon every dishwasher, visionary, dog musher, driver, mechanic, entrepreneur, philanthropist, entertainer and the list goes on. I appreciated the pause for these iconic Skagwegians,” Bricker said.
STC expands free internet eligibility By Gretchen Wehmhoff Skagway Traditional Council (STC) received a tribal broadband affordability grant, benefitting various residents of Skagway. According to their announcement, STC’s grant will work with the Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T) broadband service voucher program. The program provides no-cost broadband access to eligible households in Skagway, Trial Business & Tribal Government and its exten-
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sions until funding runs out. Eligibility originally originally opened to seniors over 60 residing in Skagway, any indigenous citizen in Skagway and any indigenous business in Skagway. Recipients of the program must use the plan through AP&T. The program recently expanded Skagway eligibility to single parent households with school-aged children and low-income families and individuals as defined by HUD. The application lists the
2024 low income guidelines. The program does not cover any installation costs. STC’s application notes that while access level and specifications may change, “we expect to be able to provide a minimum of 25Mbps download/3Mbps upload for copper-fed premises and 150 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload for fiber-fed premises.” Because the program is grant-based, those who join the program will receive (see page 3-STC)
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