About KRBD
KRBD is a pillar of Southeast Alaska community radio. We have a strong commitment to local news, cultural outreach, and inclusive programming. This is a small station with a close-knit staff, an active board, and many volunteers.
Ketchikan is a town of about 14,000 people, city and borough combined. Our base of operations and the primary listening area is the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, consisting of the cities of Ketchikan and Saxman and surrounding island communities. KRBD’s listening audience also extends to several communities throughout neighboring Prince of Wales Island and includes Alaska’s only federal reservation, the Tsimshian community of Metlakatla on Annette Island, plus an entire maritime fishing and shipping fleet. That total listening area covers roughly 18,000 residents.
KRBD is part of CoastAlaska, a regional news collaborative that shares support and resources with its members, including KTOO in Juneau, KCAW in Sitka, KFSK in Petersburg, KSTK in Wrangell, and KUCB in Unalaska. CoastAlaska provides administrative, financial, development, engineering and technical support services to member stations. KRBD is locally owned and operated by Rainbird Community Broadcasting, Inc., with support from CoastAlaska. KRBD is a member station of National Public Radio and Alaska Public Media, a statewide network of public radio stations with which we share reporting.
About Ketchikan
Ketchikan is located among the forested islands and mountains of Alaska’s famed Inside Passage. Ketchikan is known as the “First City” because of its position as the first stop for travelers venturing north, but it’s also a place with rich history. The ancestral land of the Taánta kwaan and Saánya kwaan Tlingit, it’s also a cultural home of the Haida, Tsimshian, and Aleut peoples. Ketchikan Indian Community is a sovereign nation and one of the largest tribes in Alaska. Ketchikan has been designated a top small town for arts, with a strong music and theater scene. Live entertainment venues include Creek Street Cabaret, the Saxman Tribal House, local bars, and pop-ups for art and music events.
We’re located in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rain forest. The moderate temperatures of the Tongass produce lush foliage and allow for fantastic outdoor opportunities in fishing, hunting, kayaking, and hiking nearly year-round. The lushness comes from, on average, 150 inches of precipitation per year. (Seattle averages about 40 inches, for reference.) If you don’t mind getting a little wet, there is endless natural beauty to explore. There’s also somehow plenty of sunny days to soak in, especially in the summer.
Ketchikan has a booming tourism industry, welcoming about 1.5 million annual visitors, mostly from seasonal cruise ships. We also have a U.S. Coast Guard base protecting the waters of the Inside Passage, and a world-renowned fishing industry that supports commercial, charter and sport fishermen. Ketchikan is a shipping hub for many surrounding communities, as well as a regional medical hub for southern Southeast Alaska. This is a unique opportunity in a beautiful small town with a community radio station that plays an integral part in the culture and fabric of the city.
Transportation is mainly by sea or air. Ketchikan is off the North American road system, but has an international airport with daily flights to Seattle and surrounding Southeast Alaska communities. The Alaska Marine Highway System also offers ferry service throughout the region, allowing you to bring a vehicle and enjoy the “scenic route” through the Inside Passage.
Want to learn more about our dynamic community? Check out the websites of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, City of Ketchikan or Ketchikan Gateway Borough.
