How to do Business

The City of Seward is beautiful, unique and has limitless potential to grow and expand with an unbeatable quality of life. The City is very accessible, only a two hours drive from Anchorage with an active, ice-free, deepwater port and rail line from Seward, through Anchorage and onto Fairbanks. We pride ourselves in being friendly and caring about our community. The City is committed to promoting economic development and courting new businesses and existing business expansions within the City boundaries. The City will make every effort to assist you in your business venture from start up, operations and expansions. The City encourages you to utilize the Seward Chamber of Commerce to help initiate business opportunities in the City. The City commits to the following:

Endorsing the Seward Chamber of Commerce to promote economic development in the City of Seward.
Proactively marketing Seward as a viable business location.
Endorsing the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) as the City's economic development advisory board to the City Council. PACAB's is a Board that advises the City Council about port and economic development issues as directed by the City Council (to contact PACAB, please contact Suzi Towsley, Executive Liaison at 224-4047.)
Assembling and disseminating pertinent development information about Seward.
Working with and assisting local businesses and prospects/site selectors interested in the area.
How can the City of Seward Help you? http://www.cityofseward.net/ or send a message directly to: customerservice@cityofseward.net

Be sure to visit www.aksbdc.org for the Alaska Small Business Development Center. Its another great resource for small business assistance!

The Seward Chamber of Commerce (http://www.seward.com) can serve as a conduit for information and provide resources to businesses and industries seeking to locate or expand in Seward. The Seward Chamber of Commerce provides a variety of services including the following:

Actively seeking and encouraging new industry and business to Seward.
Assisting new businesses with City, Borough and state resources to help jump start new businesses.
Gathering and providing economic information, such as commercial real estate and demographics.
Working with other economic development organizations in the area.
Working with both the public and private sectors to encourage collaboration.
Educating the public about the economy and economic development activities.
Advocating for issues that impact the business community.

How can the Seward Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Department help you? http://www.seward.com

State Incentives

Alaska Export Assistance Center
Alaska New Business Incentive Program
Alaska Products Preference Center
Alaska Science & Technology Foundation (site development)
Buy Alaska Program
Community Arts Development Grants
Community Development Block Grants
Industrial Revenue Bond Financing
Loan Participation Program
SBA Bond guarantees for Small Business
Small Business Economic Revolving Loan Program
Special Incentive District
State Training & Employment Program
Tax Abatements
Tax Deferrals
Tax Increment
Rapid processing of Development Permits with an average 15 working day from submission of application to issuance of building permit.

Please see the State of Alaska website for more information.

Local Incentives

All-America City in 1963, 1965 and again in 2005
Rapid processing of Development Permits with an average 15 working day from submission of application to issuance of building permit.
Accessible zoning information at the City of Seward Community Development Department.
City owned Electric, Water and Sewer
Property tax rate mill 3.12 mills, equal to $312 for every $100,000 in property valuation.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) rate is 6.5 for 2007 and 5.5 for 2008 for a total property tax rate of 8.62 mills.
Sales tax rate is 4% for the City of Seward and 3% for KPB for a combined rate of 7% (1% is used for the City's 24 hour hospital).
Pro-business city government dedicated to customer service:
Local Fire Department
Local Police Department
Good ISO Rating 4/9
Year round ice free, deep water harbor
City owned small boat harbor for recreational and commercial boats.
Connected to rail line from Seward to Anchorage to Fairbanks.
Opportunity to lease or buy cit owned property.
Strong Chamber of Commerce with national and international marketing strategies received 2007 Alaska Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award.
City owned 24 hour emergency hospital
University campus classes and vocational trade school opportunities.
125 miles away from Anchorage on State Highway.
State owned 5000 foot paved runway airport.

If you are interested in expanding your business or starting a new business in the City of Seward, we invite you to submit a letter to the Community Development Director at the address shown below describing your business and intent to locate to the City of Seward. A pre-application meeting will be arranged within five (5) working days of receipt of your request. This meeting may include the Community Development Director and may involve the city manager or designee, Chamber of Commerce, building, planning, fire, harbor, public works, electric or other departments to help guide and direct you through the appropriate process.

Economic Development Contacts

City of Seward
Attn: Christy Terry, Community Development Director
P.O. Box 167
Seward, Alaska 99664
cterry@cityofseward.net

City of Seward
Attn: Phillip Oates, City Manager
P.O. Box 167
Seward, Alaska 99664
poates@cityofseward.net

Seward Chamber of Commerce, Conference and Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Attn: Laura Cloward, Executive Director
P.O. Box 749
Seward, Alaska 99664
chamber@seward.net

City of Seward

Home About Boards & Commissions City Council City Departments Administration Building & Engineering City Clerk Community Development Electrical Finance Fire Department Harbor Library Parking Parks & Recreation Police Department Public Works Customer Service Documents How to do Business Legislative History Links Maintenance & Repairs News Quality of Life Health & Wellness	How to do Business The City of Seward is beautiful, unique and has limitless potential to grow and expand with an unbeatable quality of life. The City is very accessible, only a two hours drive from Anchorage with an active, ice-free, deepwater port and rail line from Seward, through Anchorage and onto Fairbanks. We pride ourselves in being friendly and caring about our community. The City is committed to promoting economic development and courting new businesses and existing business expansions within the City boundaries. The City will make every effort to assist you in your business venture from start up, operations and expansions. The City encourages you to utilize the Seward Chamber of Commerce to help initiate business opportunities in the City. The City commits to the following: Endorsing the Seward Chamber of Commerce to promote economic development in the City of Seward. Proactively marketing Seward as a viable business location. Endorsing the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) as the City's economic development advisory board to the City Council. PACAB's is a Board that advises the City Council about port and economic development issues as directed by the City Council (to contact PACAB, please contact Suzi Towsley, Executive Liaison at 224-4047.) Assembling and disseminating pertinent development information about Seward. Working with and assisting local businesses and prospects/site selectors interested in the area. How can the City of Seward Help you? http://www.cityofseward.net/ or send a message directly to: customerservice@cityofseward.net Be sure to visit www.aksbdc.org for the Alaska Small Business Development Center. Its another great resource for small business assistance! The Seward Chamber of Commerce (http://www.seward.com) can serve as a conduit for information and provide resources to businesses and industries seeking to locate or expand in Seward. The Seward Chamber of Commerce provides a variety of services including the following: Actively seeking and encouraging new industry and business to Seward. Assisting new businesses with City, Borough and state resources to help jump start new businesses. Gathering and providing economic information, such as commercial real estate and demographics. Working with other economic development organizations in the area. Working with both the public and private sectors to encourage collaboration. Educating the public about the economy and economic development activities. Advocating for issues that impact the business community. How can the Seward Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Department help you? http://www.seward.com State Incentives Alaska Export Assistance Center Alaska New Business Incentive Program Alaska Products Preference Center Alaska Science & Technology Foundation (site development) Buy Alaska Program Community Arts Development Grants Community Development Block Grants Industrial Revenue Bond Financing Loan Participation Program SBA Bond guarantees for Small Business Small Business Economic Revolving Loan Program Special Incentive District State Training & Employment Program Tax Abatements Tax Deferrals Tax Increment Rapid processing of Development Permits with an average 15 working day from submission of application to issuance of building permit. Please see the State of Alaska website for more information. Local Incentives All-America City in 1963, 1965 and again in 2005 Rapid processing of Development Permits with an average 15 working day from submission of application to issuance of building permit. Accessible zoning information at the City of Seward Community Development Department. City owned Electric, Water and Sewer Property tax rate mill 3.12 mills, equal to $312 for every $100,000 in property valuation. The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) rate is 6.5 for 2007 and 5.5 for 2008 for a total property tax rate of 8.62 mills. Sales tax rate is 4% for the City of Seward and 3% for KPB for a combined rate of 7% (1% is used for the City's 24 hour hospital). Pro-business city government dedicated to customer service: Local Fire Department Local Police Department Good ISO Rating 4/9 Year round ice free, deep water harbor City owned small boat harbor for recreational and commercial boats. Connected to rail line from Seward to Anchorage to Fairbanks. Opportunity to lease or buy cit owned property. Strong Chamber of Commerce with national and international marketing strategies received 2007 Alaska Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award. City owned 24 hour emergency hospital University campus classes and vocational trade school opportunities. 125 miles away from Anchorage on State Highway. State owned 5000 foot paved runway airport. If you are interested in expanding your business or starting a new business in the City of Seward, we invite you to submit a letter to the Community Development Director at the address shown below describing your business and intent to locate to the City of Seward. A pre-application meeting will be arranged within five (5) working days of receipt of your request. This meeting may include the Community Development Director and may involve the city manager or designee, Chamber of Commerce, building, planning, fire, harbor, public works, electric or other departments to help guide and direct you through the appropriate process. Economic Development Contacts City of Seward Attn: Christy Terry, Community Development Director P.O. Box 167 Seward, Alaska 99664 cterry@cityofseward.net City of Seward Attn: Phillip Oates, City Manager P.O. Box 167 Seward, Alaska 99664 poates@cityofseward.net Seward Chamber of Commerce, Conference and Visitors Bureau, Inc. Attn: Laura Cloward, Executive Director P.O. Box 749 Seward, Alaska 99664 chamber@seward.net
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