October 2021
Thinking Local this October
'Local First' Focus for October - Shop Now for Later!
This month, stock up! Shopping now for later is a great way to support small businesses and get ahead of the approaching winter and holiday season.

So, get started on your holiday shopping lists, shop now for birthdays, gifts, or other purchases that you can buy now and give later, and be sure to fill your pantries with all of the many irresistible Alaska Grown and Made in Alaska goodies we have here in Alaska.

Looking to shop online? Voyij.com is an online marketplace exclusively for Alaska businesses and features thousands of gifts made in Alaska.
Celebrating National Women's Small Business Month
In honor of National Women's Small Business Month, we are celebrating and recognizing local woman-owned businesses that are thriving and supporting our great state.

BuyAlaska is proud to host more than 110 women owned businesses on the BuyAlaska Business Directory and counting.

Celebrate with us by discovering the many amazing women owned businesses across Alaska. Get started by checking out a few of the industries on the BuyAlaska Biz Women page below.
October 1, 2021 Officially Proclaimed as Alaska Manufacturing Day
Governor Dunleavy's Office has issued a proclamation recognizing October 1, 2021, as Alaska Manufacturing Day!

From the Executive Proclamation, "Buying locally made products keeps money circulating within our state; and as Alaskans, it is essential to teach our youth the importance of self-sufficiency and adaptability, emphasize the essential role manufacturing has in maintaining a strong economy; and Alaska's manufacturers provide safe, healthy, high-quality products, offering Alaskans local options, and security for our state, which would otherwise be dependent on imported products"

Support Alaska's many amazing manufacturers by looking local first!
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is going on from September 15 - October 15 and we are proud to honor these Hispanic-Alaskan owned businesses and BuyAlaska members.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

You can recognize Hispanic Heritage Month by learning more about these Hispanic-owned businesses on the BuyAlaska Business Directory
As the pandemic evolves, businesses nationwide are facing new challenges. The cost of doing business has gone up significantly. Delays in the supply chain are causing shortages. Businesses are experiencing difficulty hiring despite their best efforts.

Shop small and shop now to be sure you are getting what you need in time, or you might not be able to get it. Local businesses with stock are your best bet, why roll the dice on supply lines and shipping problems, buy local! 

Shopping from Alaskan-owned businesses strengthens our local economies and creates more resilience for us all. You can do your part by looking local first.
Proud to be Celebrating BuyAlaska's 1 Year Anniversary
One year ago today, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska Small Business Development Center relaunched the BuyAlaska program with the help of leading organizations across the state who saw the need to support small businesses in Alaska.

In the past year, we have come so far, proudly hosting over 640 businesses on our Alaskan-owned business directory, and getting our message to 'look local first' out to thousands of Alaskans. We've done that with you.

Thank you for loving local with us this past year.
Local First Champions
Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition Makes 'Cents' of Local Investing
The Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition is helping all Alaskans make 'cents' out of Local Investing by hosting a 4-week course led by community economist, Michael Shuman.

This educational series is meant to guide individuals closer to meeting their financial goals through local investing, and build thriving and resilient communities across Alaska.

Register for this 4 part series starting October 5th from 12-1:30 pm.
Vote for JEDC 'Local Frequency App' for the Strong Communities Award!
We are proud to announce that The Local Frequency App, initiated by the Juneau Economic Development Council, is a finalist for the Strong Communities Award held by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines!

The Strong Communities Award was created to highlight the value that communities derive from small business and economic development projects. The Local Frequency App is good for you, good for local businesses, and good for local non-profits. Shop at local businesses and you get cashback, businesses receive a rate more competitive than the credit card companies.

From October 4 through October 8, anyone can vote for The Local Frequency on the Strong Communities Award website. You can submit one vote per day while the voting period is open.

The winner is awarded a grand prize of $15,000 which the JEDC plans to use towards the expansion of the program. Help create more awareness for The Local Frequency!
How You Can BuyAlaska
Discover 600+ Alaska Businesses on the BuyAlaska Business Directory
Give a shout-out to a small business you love!
We aim to elevate local businesses to better Alaska’s economy.
We do that with YOU.
Help us lift up local on our channels.
The BuyAlaska Program is a statewide program by the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) under the UAA Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) and partially funded by the Small Business Administration (SBA).