{
  "story": {
    "slug": "a-hundred-million-hits-ketchikan",
    "headline": "a hundred million hits ketchikan",
    "deck": "A nearly $100 million NOAA contract at the Ketchikan Shipyard is driving a hiring surge across Southeast Alaska.",
    "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/story/a-hundred-million-hits-ketchikan",
    "section": "Economy",
    "area": null,
    "published_at": "2026-07-15T20:00:00+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:25:17.279224+00:00",
    "body_md": "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded the state-owned Ketchikan Shipyard a contract worth about 99.6 million dollars to overhaul the NOAA research ship Henry B. Bigelow, with work running through 2029. The shipyard is operated by JAG Marine Group, which took over last year.\n\nThe contract is already changing the local job picture. When JAG Marine Group took over operations of the shipyard, the company had around fifteen workers. Today it employs closer to 150, and it plans to add more than 100 additional full-time jobs while growing the yard's business several times over in the next couple of years.\n\nThe overhaul work itself is skilled, hands-on labor, including new engines, radar, cranes and pumps. Because the contract is long term, it offers steady, year-round employment rather than the seasonal work that has traditionally defined Ketchikan's docks.\n\nKetchikan's mayor said the growth means more family-supporting jobs, more young people entering the trades, and a stronger economic foundation for the broader Southeast Alaska region.",
    "sources": [
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  "envelope": {
    "story_id": "d505fb05-93a8-4413-8a2a-c632ac3feafa",
    "slug": "a-hundred-million-hits-ketchikan",
    "summary": "NOAA awarded the state-owned Ketchikan Shipyard, operated by JAG Marine Group, a roughly 99.6 million dollar contract to overhaul the research ship Henry B. Bigelow through 2029. Workforce grew from about 15 to 150 employees since JAG Marine Group took over last year, with over 100 more jobs planned.",
    "key_facts": [
      "Contract value is about 99.6 million dollars",
      "The contract is with NOAA to overhaul the research ship Henry B. Bigelow",
      "Work runs through 2029",
      "JAG Marine Group took over shipyard operations last year, growing staff from about 15 to about 150",
      "The company plans to add more than 100 additional full-time jobs"
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "About 99.6 million dollars. The contract is with NOAA to overhaul a research ship, which is bringing hundreds of jobs to Southeast Alaska.",
        "q": "how much is the NOAA contract worth Ketchikan"
      },
      {
        "a": "The Henry B. Bigelow, a NOAA research vessel. Work runs through 2029.",
        "q": "what ship is being overhauled in Ketchikan"
      },
      {
        "a": "JAG Marine Group has grown the workforce from about 15 to about 150 since taking over last year and plans to add more than 100 additional full-time jobs.",
        "q": "how many jobs at Ketchikan Shipyard"
      },
      {
        "a": "JAG Marine Group took over operations last year and has been expanding the workforce significantly.",
        "q": "who operates Ketchikan Shipyard now"
      }
    ],
    "claims": [
      {
        "claim": "NOAA awarded the Ketchikan Shipyard a contract worth about 99.6 million dollars to overhaul the research ship Henry B. Bigelow, running through 2029.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/government/ketchikan-shipyard-gets-99m-noaa-contract/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "JAG Marine Group took over the Ketchikan Shipyard last year, growing the workforce from about 15 to about 150 employees.",
        "confidence": "reported",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/government/ketchikan-shipyard-gets-99m-noaa-contract/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The company plans to add more than 100 additional full-time jobs and grow the yard's business several times over.",
        "confidence": "reported",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/government/ketchikan-shipyard-gets-99m-noaa-contract/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      }
    ],
    "locations": [
      {
        "area": "Southeast",
        "kind": "city",
        "name": "Ketchikan"
      }
    ],
    "people": [],
    "organizations": [
      {
        "kind": "government",
        "name": "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"
      },
      {
        "kind": "company",
        "name": "Ketchikan Shipyard"
      },
      {
        "kind": "company",
        "name": "JAG Marine Group"
      }
    ],
    "event_dates": [
      {
        "date": "2029",
        "label": "Overhaul contract completion"
      }
    ],
    "story_status": "ongoing",
    "what_changed": null,
    "keywords": [
      "ketchikan shipyard",
      "noaa contract",
      "jag marine group",
      "henry b bigelow",
      "southeast alaska jobs",
      "alaska shipbuilding",
      "ship overhaul"
    ],
    "disclosure": "Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing.",
    "generated_at": "2026-10-01T05:28:20.685+00:00",
    "reviewed_at": null,
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:25:17.279224+00:00"
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    "description": "NOAA awarded the state-owned Ketchikan Shipyard, operated by JAG Marine Group, a roughly 99.6 million dollar contract to overhaul the research ship Henry B. Bigelow through 2029. Workforce grew from about 15 to 150 employees since JAG Marine Group took over last year, with over 100 more jobs planned.",
    "abstract": "NOAA awarded the state-owned Ketchikan Shipyard, operated by JAG Marine Group, a roughly 99.6 million dollar contract to overhaul the research ship Henry B. Bigelow through 2029. Workforce grew from about 15 to 150 employees since JAG Marine Group took over last year, with over 100 more jobs planned.",
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