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Healy
(HEE-lee); a.k.a. Healy Fork
| Current Population: |
1,025
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Denali Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: 7% Bed Tax (Borough); Severance Tax $.05 (Borough); Yard Gravel $.05/Ton-Coal (Borough)
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| Location
and Climate |
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Healy lies at the mouth of Healy Creek on the Nenana River, 78 miles southwest of Fairbanks. It is located on a 2.5-mile spur road, just north of the entrance to the Denali National Park and Preserve on the George Parks Highway. The community
lies at approximately 63.856940° North Latitude
and -148.966110° West Longitude.
(Sec. 20, T012S, R007W, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Healy is located in the
Nenana Recording District.
Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. January temperatures range from -22 to -2; July temperatures range from 50 to 72. Average annual precipitation is 11.3 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Healy
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Healy was established in 1904 and is the home of the Usibelli Coal Mine, Alaska's only operating coal mine. The mine produces 1.3 million tons of coal per year, supplying coal to Golden Valley Electric Association, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Aurora Energy, Clear AFS, Eielson AFB, and Ft. Wainwright Army Base. The mine also ships coal to South Korea and Chile through the Port of Seward. The Usibelli Coal Mine began a successful environmental reclamation program in 1971. Dall sheep now graze where there was once a strip mine.
The population of the community consists of 5.3%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Healy is a coal mining town that has evolved into an economically-diverse community. Tourism also greatly affects the economy during summer months.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 604, and vacant housing units numbered 168.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 91.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 476 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
8.85 percent,
although
35.94 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $60,000, per capita income was $28,225, and
4.89 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The large majority of homes use individual wells and septic systems. Over 80% are fully plumbed. Usibelli Mine and the Healy Clean Coal Project have individual water well systems. Refuse is hauled to the new Borough regional landfill located just south of Anderson.
Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association.
There are 2 schools located in the community,
attended by 347
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Interior Community Health Center (907-683-2211).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Specialized Care: Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions; Healy Senior Center. Healy is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS (683-2223/474-7721).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The Usibelli Coal Mine has dominated the economy of Healy for over 60 years, and employs 95 positions. Of the 1.3 million tons of coal the mine produces annually, 400,000 tons are exported for delivery to South Korea and Chile and 900,000 tons remain in Alaska for domestic use. Golden Valley Electric Association and the Railbelt School District are also major employers in Healy. Tourism at nearby Denali Park supports local RV Parks, guided rafting trips, helicopter tours and other businesses. The $274 million Healy Clean Coal Power Plant was completed in November 1997, but has sat idle since 2000. To lower the costs per kilowatt hour and be economically viable, the plant needs retrofits and modifications costing another $50 to $80 million. The Plant is owned by the Alaska Indiustrial Development and Export Authority, an independent State corporation.
The George Parks Highway provides access, and cargo is delivered by rail or truck. The State-owned Healy River Airport provides a 2,920' long by 60' wide asphalt runway. Local services provide helicopter or air tours of the Denali Park. Companies based in Anchorage and Fairbanks also provide bus tours to the Park. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Chamber of Commerce -
Greater Healy/Denali Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 437, .5 Mile Healy Spur Road
Healy, AK 99743
Phone 907-683-4636
E-mail denali.chamber@gmail.com
Web http://www.denalichamber.com
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Denali Borough
P.O. Box 480
Healy, AK 99743
Phone 907-683-1330
Fax 907-683-1340
E-mail dbgovt@mtaonline.net
Web http://www.denaliborough.govoffice.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
P.O. Box 129
Tok, AK 99780
Phone 907-883-5181
Fax 907-883-1114
E-mail rose.isaac@tananachiefs.org
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