As we look ahead to 2026, Juneau stands at a crossroads. While some may focus on city deficits, declining school enrollments, and uncertainty over state jobs, there is a compelling case for optimism. Our community is on the verge of transformative opportunities with the Coast Guard making its largest investment in Juneau in decades, with the commissioning of the icebreaker Storis.
Senator Sullivan points out the OBBB allocates $25 billion for Coast Guard people, missions, and infrastructure, including $300 million for homeporting the STORIS in Juneau. This funding could bring upwards of 200 new, permanent federal jobs to our downtown waterfront. Even more significant, the bill funds the construction of 16 new icebreakers and 22 cutters—assets that will need new homes. With limited pier space nationwide, the Coast Guard will be looking for innovative communities ready to support these vessels and their crews.
At the same time, the cruise industry faces its own challenge: not a lack of ships, but a shortage of dock space in Alaska’s most desirable ports. This has spurred proposals for new cruise berths in West Douglas and downtown, raising concerns among some residents about unchecked tourism growth.
Here lies Juneau’s opportunity. By encouraging the Coast Guard to purchase the privately owned AJ Dock—currently the least desirable cruise berth due to its location and exposure—it could be repurposed it for federal use. The AJ Dock offers over five acres of uplands, ideal for maintenance, support buildings, and parking. With this expansion, Juneau could homeport up to three new cutters, bringing hundreds of non-seasonal Coast Guard personnel and spurring growth in skilled trades and support industries.
This diversification would benefit our entire community, recently designated an official Coast Guard City. The demographics of active-duty Coast Guard families align perfectly with the needs of our schools and hospital, helping to counteract Juneau’s aging population. By leveraging already-appropriated federal funds, we can position our city for long-term prosperity.
Juneau has always been shaped by big thinkers—from miners and hydropower pioneers to those who moved the territorial capital and built our tourism industry. Our next “eureka moment” could be embracing the Coast Guard’s missions and making Juneau their home. If we don’t, another city surely will.
Carl Uchytil is the President of USNL – Juneau Council, a civic organization charged with advocating, educating and supporting the sea services – the Coast Guard, Navy, Marines and Merchant Marines.
