Glennallen, Alaska –The Ahtna Athabascan village of Gulkana has been named the Copper River Valley’s “Community of the Year” by the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce.

At its 27th Annual Meeting, held October 24th in Glennallen, outgoing Chamber President Naomi Young presented a plaque to Gulkana Village representatives Terri Nutter and Eveline Frank.

Gulkana, located on the Gulkana River at Mile 127 of the Richardson Highway, is on the historic Valdez Trail, and dates back at least a thousand years.

The village has undergone a massive upgrading of its basic services and infrastructure.

Among its many advancements are newly-paved streets and sidewalks, a prominent new welcome sign, street lights, a village-wide water system, new housing, and a transportation system called “Soaring Eagle” that serves the entire Copper River community.

Also, Granite Construction was awarded the Chamber “Business of the Year” for its work this summer on the road and new bike path going through the town of Glennallen.