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Welcome! Delta Junction Invites
You to do Business or Relocate Here!
Delta Junction is home to a wide variety of businesses, as well as local, state & federal government branch offices. Our area also hosts many private organizations.
The character of Delta Junction has changed dramatically over
the years. The community originally centered at the junction of
the Tanana and Delta rivers and was called Big Delta.
Rika's Roadhouse was an important part of community life in the early part of
the twentieth century.
Rika's Roadhouse Learn more of this fascinating story by visiting the Roadhouse, refresh yourself at the Restaurant and enjoy the gift shop. Free admission to the park! Dump station available.
World War II changed the sleepy nature of the community.
The military constructed Allen Army Airfield just south of what is now Delta Junction. Construction of the Alaska Highway started south and east from here, and brought new opportunities.
Fort Greely was the economic mainstay of the community for most of the second half of the 20th century. A nationwide effort to close or realign US military bases took its toll on Fort Greely. Today, the base continues to Cold Regions Test Center programs, but at much lower staffing levels of military and civilian workers. The history of Fort Greely began in 1942. You can learn more about Fort Greely on their website.
Agriculture was an early and obvious possibility in this broad valley. A large project underwritten by the State of Alaska in the 1980's brought hundreds of thousands of acres under cultivation. Today, the complexion of the agricultural area has changed, but energetic farmers continue to grow grains and vegetables and raise dairy herds and even game animals.
Gold
mining activities are accelerating in the area. Pogo Mine is an
underground gold mine located 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction,
Alaska. The mine feeds gold ore to the mill at a rate of approximately
2,500 tons per day and the property produces between 350,000 and 380,000
ounces of gold annually. The currently expected mine life projects
operations through 2019, but significant exploration work is underway
with the hope of extending the mine life. Current reserves are in excess
of 2.7 million ounces of gold.
An aerial view of Pogo Mine shows the Goodpaster
River in the background, the mill and processing facilities with the
“blue tube” conveyor belt that travels up from the underground mine, and
the camp, administration, and maintenance facilities in the foreground.
Photo Courtesy Judy Patrick
The mine is operated by
Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC, a Joint Venture between Sumitomo Metal
Mining Company and Sumitomo Corporation with 85% and 15% ownership
shares respectively. Final Permits and Authorizations were issued for
the Pogo Mine in December 2003. Mine construction was completed in 2006
and commercial production was achieved in April 2007. The one millionth
ounce was produced in October 2009. Pogo Mine maintains a workforce of
more than 330 direct employees and an additional 150 contractors.
On July 31, 2012 the two-millionth ounce of gold was poured at the
Sumitomo Pogo Mine.
The
reduction of size of Fort Greely changed the character of the community,
but Delta Junction continues to push forward and diversify its economy.
The decision to develop a portion of the Ft. Greely installation as a
test bed for the National Missile Defense system produced a local boom
in our city's economy.
Missile Defense, the first 60 years pamphlet.
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