The communitys main sources of incomelogging and fishingwere failing and locals were leaving for opportunities elsewhere.
Now, the resulting port known asIcy Strait Pointhas come of age.
A 1912 former salmon cannery acts as Icy Strait Points hub with a museum and Alaskan-owned retail shops.
Locals guide more than 20 shore excursions, including coastal bear viewing, whale watching and cultural tours.
Development decisions applied triple-bottom-line standards that balanced profit alongside the needs of the environment and its people.
Sustainability isnt just reducing emissions; its about sustaining the community, says Dick.
An aerial view of Icy Strait Point, the first private cruise destination on Alaska’s Inside Passage.Credit:Courtesy of Icy Strait Point
The Icy Strait Point gondola system ferries cruise passengers around the port and to the top of a nearby mountain for panoramic views.Courtesy of Icy Strait Point
A carving demonstration at Icy Strait Point.Courtesy of Icy Strait Point