Alaska SBDC Updates
A Note from the Alaska SBDC Executive Director
There's a lot going on this month and almost all of it is good! The federal government passed another relief bill that will pump $1.9 trillion into the economy through existing programs like the PPP and EIDL as well as through new programs targeting restaurants and bars, live venues, commercial fishing, child care, and other industries. State and local governments will also get funding that can be used for a variety of things including lost tax revenues potentially helping Alaska and our communities offset some of the lost tax revenues due to COVID-19. 

Speaking of COVID-19, on the amazingly good news front Alaska became the first state in the nation to provide vaccines to anyone working in the state over the age of 16. I got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week and am looking forward to my second dose soon! HUGE thank you to the Southcentral Foundation who provided my shot and to all of the amazing Alaska native health care providers who are the main reason Alaska is leading the nation in vaccinations. If you haven't scheduled yours yet, get on it! The sooner we get this done the sooner we can get back to normal.

While we're on the topic of thanks, in honor of women's history month I want to give a huge shout out to all of the amazing Alaskan women who made Alaska what it is today. There's a fantastic article below about an amazing Alaskan woman, Mary Jane Fate. She was a Koyukon Athabascan from Rampart, Alaska who was integral to the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. I encourage you to use this month to learn about the great women in your family. I always think of my great-great-grandmother who moved to Nome to open a dress shop during the Yukon gold rush, my grandmother who is in the cowgirl hall of fame, or my mother who became one of the first women accepted into Georgetown Law School.

I hope that the good news that has been coming in these last few weeks has brightened your days and helped offset a very long year of COVID-19 and the things that came with it. There's something kind of fitting in things getting better just as Spring is starting. I hope that you can help us keep that momentum going by supporting local businesses through our BuyAlaska program, talking with your state and local policymakers about the importance of using some of the new relief funding they're about to get to help businesses and nonprofits in your communities, and by signing up to get your vaccination!  

Hang in there Alaska, we're in the home stretch!

Jon Bittner
Alaska SBDC Executive Director
It's SBDC Day!
It's #SBDCDay! Take a peek at what the Alaska Small Business Development Center has been up to in the last year. We're looking forward to continuing to serve Alaska's small business sector in the year to come!

We're thankful to our national partners, America's SBDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration, our host, the UAA Business Enterprise Institute, and all of our sister and partner organizations across the state. And a very special thank you to our clients and workshop attendees. Thank you for inviting us along on your entrepreneurial journey.

We're always here to help.
Happy Women's History Month!
This month, we are highlighting the accomplishments of Mary Jane Fate

Mary Jane Fate was Koyukon Athabascan from Rampart, Alaska who left a lasting impression on women in Alaska, especially Alaska Native women. Fate was one of the original Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act lobbyists and her work helped secure the 40 million acres of land and $1 billion conveyed to Alaska Native people. After completing high school at Mt. Edgecumbe in 1952, she became one of the first Alaska Native women to attend college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In 1992 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from UAF.
Image via Covenant House Alaska
Fate’s leadership abilities are noted by the fact that she became the first woman co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1988. She served on her Alaska Native village corporation board, the Rampart Village Council (Baan o Yeel Kon) where she was elected President for many years. She was a founding member and past president of the Fairbanks Native Association.

She helped form the North American Indian Women’s Association and in 1975 was its third national president. In 2001 Fate was also appointed by President George H.W. Bush as the only indigenous member on the US Arctic Research Commission.

Penned by Jennifer Adams, MBA, Rural Center Director, read the rest of this inspiring story here!
Virtual "Make it Monday" forum with the Alaska SBDC
For the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's Make it Monday forum on March 22 from 11:30 am -1:00 pm, the Alaska SBDC will be sharing the results from our 4th annual Small Business Survey as well as our analysis of federal CARES Act funding deployed to Alaska businesses in this year’s annual report.
Exporting, is it Right for You?
This March, we’re focusing on exporting and how the Alaska SBDC and the Small Business Administration (SBA) can help small business owners decide if exporting is right for them.

On our site, you’ll find on-demand webinars, live events, and resources to help you determine if exporting is a part of your businesses’ future.
The Eureka Space in Anchorage
The Alaska SBDC is thrilled to be joining The Eureka Space, a shared office environment in midtown Anchorage for professionals serving the needs of small business owners. As members, we will be able to offer training, workshops, and business advising at The Eureka Space.

1 Million Cups Alaska enjoyed a virtual tour with Andrew Mitton last week, we invite you to take a look at this new and inviting space!
BuyAlaska Tourism Partnership
As we anticipate another dip in Alaska visitation this summer, we are developing opportunities to spread traveler awareness of local businesses, and most importantly, to provide an easy way to shop online with Alaska businesses.

BuyAlaska and Voyij.com are partnering to directly support local Alaska businesses with the Shop Local Alaska Program as a community-wide resource for businesses to sell online to travelers. The program will be marketed globally with the goal of connecting travelers to local Alaska businesses.
In addition to the ability to buy local Alaskan goods from those who live here, the site provides insider stories about Alaska and our community. Businesses who participate in the Shop Local Alaska Program are able to start selling products online immediately with voyij.com taking a small commission.
Highlighting Alaska's Manufacturers with #BuyAlaskaIndustries
This month, the BuyAlaska program is highlighting 8 of Alaska's manufacturing industries. Learn more about each on the BuyAlaska website and join the conversation on social media with #BuyAlaskaIndustries.
Lemonade Day Alaska is Coming!
Lemonade Day Alaska is coming up on Saturday, June 26!

With the world working hard to overcome recent challenges, each participating community will have the option to lead their own Lemonade Day weekends this season, so stay tuned for any special Lemonade Day weekends this summer.

Registration will be opening virtually for entrepreneurs on April 1st!

If you’re a small business owner interested in hosting an entrepreneur for Lemonade Day, learn more at the Lemonade Day Alaska website and sign-up to host here!
Alaska SBDC Shipping Survey
As we strive to meet the needs of our small business communities, we find it helpful to gather information directly from business owners about what their needs are in certain areas. Currently, we are working on a webinar related to shipping needs that are specific to Alaska.

Please fill out our survey to let us know what your questions, concerns, and thoughts are related to shipping goods in and out of the state!
Alaska SBDC Workshop Announcement
In response to the impact of COVID-19, the Alaska SBDC will offer small business workshops at no cost to clients and the public through September 30, 2021.

Please note, our Quickbooks and Profit Mastery in-depth classes that will retain their fee-based structure.

Introduction to QuickBooks Online is scheduled as a two-session class on April 28th and 29th from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. 
  • This beginner's level course is geared towards small business owners who are ready to start using the cloud-based, QuickBooks Online.
  • No previous QuickBooks experience is necessary but is helpful.
  • A basic understanding of small business bookkeeping is very important, as this course does not cover the fundamentals of business bookkeeping. 
  • Attendees will receive a digital training manual, "Master Intuit QuickBooks Online: From Set-Up to Tax Time.
Alaska SBDC Supports Small Businesses
Statewide Updates
Anchorage Online Bootcamp
Applications open on Monday, March 15, and will close Friday, March 26. 
Anchorage Community Land Trust has launched its Anchorage Online Bootcamp through Set Up Shop to help businesses pivot online and increase visibility, sales, and promotion. 

Thirty Anchorage-based businesses will be selected and two cohorts of 15 that will run May-June and then August-September, respectively. Each cohort will enjoy 8 weeks of 2hr training on digital marketing, e-commerce, social media, branding, photography, and more. That's not all! Successful graduates will earn a $500 stipend to help boost their business online!

Learn more here.
March 26: Alaska Business Plan Competition
The 2021 Business Plan Competition, sponsored by UAA’s College of Business and Public Policy, expanded eligibility to include members of the community in addition to UAA students.  

Four finalists will be selected to present their start-up ideas at the “Perfect Pitch” final competition on March 26, 2021. A panel of twelve judges will select Grand Prize ($6,000) and Second Prize ($3,000) winners. Audience members will select a People’s Choice ($1,500) winner. Learn more here! 
April 7-9: JEDC 2021 Innovation Summit
The Juneau Economic Development Council 2021 Innovation Summit is going virtual this year on April 7-9.

The annual conference hosts a diverse array of talks, performances, and experiences designed to foster relationships and inspire new perspectives.

This year's theme is Localization in a Global Economy and will explore ways to contribute to a global economy with a focus on our local communities. The BuyAlaska program will be holding a virtual booth and presenting at the event. Don't miss it!

Interested in pitching? Ten minutes in front of a panel might just change your life! Apply by Friday, March 19th.
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR) Resources
Curious how disability and reasonable accommodations impact you as an employer? Need an update on discrimination facts and tips? The Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR) has shared valuable resources with us for Alaskan businesses and employees. Access these free resources here.
National Updates
President Biden Signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Providing additional relief for the nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries, the Act includes additional support for programs the SBA is currently administering and adds new efforts, including:

  • $7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program, including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services
  • Additional funds are allocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, and now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020 and the SVOG
  • $15 billion additional for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) payments, including NEW $5 billion for Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advance payments for those hardest hit
  • NEW: $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants   
  • NEW: $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program; grants will go to eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources.  
SBA PPP Updates for Your Small Business
What’s new with the PPP? As of March 8th, 5,763 loans valued at $503 million have been approved in Alaska this year. 

Also, new PPP application forms were recently released that allow Schedule C filers to use gross income rather than net income when calculating the PPP loan amount which can lead to more financial support for sole proprietors and the self-employed.

The deadline to apply for the PPP is March 31, 2021. To learn more, visit: 
New Tools to Prepare Your SVOG Application
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act to provide emergency assistance to eligible venues affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.  

The SBA is in the process of setting up the grant program and is not yet accepting applications. In the meantime, the agency has released the following new resources to help eligible entities prepare to apply. Learn more here!
March 25: International Market Research & Growing Your Brand
What are some free/low-cost ways to research international markets for your products or services? How can businesses grow a global brand on a budget?

Join this live webinar on Thursday, March 25 to learn best practices in international market research, using a variety of publicly available sources; and pick up tips on how to maximize social media to grow your global brand.

Also - hear from small business peers who have successfully used these techniques to grow global sales. Register here!
Check our website for a complete list of Alaska SBDC workshops statewide!
Don't forget to ask your Alaska SBDC Business Advisor about client discounts on select workshops
The Alaska SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and administered by the Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) through the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.