A Note from the Executive Sponsor |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global economic recession unlike any in recent memory. It has negatively impacted all sectors and communities across the state almost without exception, forcing businesses to close or restrict operations severely. Alaska’s businesses and core industries of tourism, retail, service, and hospitality are particularly susceptible to financial damage from restrictions.
The Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) has partnered with Alaska Communications, Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Alaska MEP), Edible Alaska, and dozens of other organizations across the state to launch the BuyAlaska program. This partnership focuses on a simple goal: encouraging Alaskans to support the businesses that are the backbone of their communities by buying local.
BuyAlaska encourages Alaskans to shop “Local First.” Alaskans who choose to “BuyAlaska” will help businesses survive the COVID-19 economic downturn and ultimately build long-term economic resilience for our state. It has never been more important to support buy-local efforts and to make it easy for Alaskans to find and purchase from local vendors. The BuyAlaska webpage at BuyAlaska.com seeks to provide access to statewide small businesses and to educate consumers about the direct benefits of keeping our dollars in Alaska.
The BuyAlaska group is made up of organizations and individuals from all over the state, and new members are always welcome to join in the effort. The program will promote and support existing buy local efforts and will create new initiatives where necessary. Alaskans know that when we buy local goods and services, our local economies prosper. When local businesses succeed, our community’s opportunities for jobs, programs, and partnerships grow. We invite you to BuyAlaska.
Sincerely,
Jon Bittner
Alaska SBDC Executive Director
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More than 700 thousand residents and 20 thousand small businesses rely on each other to thrive. We persevere. We line up around the block when there’s a grand opening and hate to see doors close. Shopping locally keeps money at home, helps local business, your neighbors, maybe you, and elevates all of Alaska by boosting our economy.
Together we succeed. Every time we choose local first, we make a difference. We’re asking you to choose local before the big box, or “click to order now.” Many local businesses will deliver or offer curbside, too. Visit the BuyAlaska website to choose local first.
Be intentional. Shop local. Love local. Elevate Alaskans. Buy Alaska.
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Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. & the Anchorage Community Land Trust “Love, Anchorage” Box |
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The two non-profit organizations joined efforts to promote, support, and revitalize Anchorage’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods with the help of the Alaska Small Business Development Center as a sponsor.
The “Love, Anchorage” box featured a curated assortment of goods from Anchorage’s vibrant locally owned businesses in Mountain View, Fairview, Spenard, and Downtown neighborhoods.
The boxes allowed customers to support local while boosting small businesses that needed support during the pandemic.
The collaboration was a success and 500 boxes were sold in two separate release rounds at fifty dollars a box. Each box was non-profit - 100% of the proceeds went back to the participating small businesses.
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Sara’s Gift Cache October Breast Cancer Bag |
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Sara’s Gift Cache is reopening its doors this October with plenty of exciting developments.
Sara is launching a series of themed bags with five local artists participating every month to create a fun and unique gift for each bag.
In addition to the handmade gift bag series, a percentage of the store’s proceeds will be donated to a different local non-profit each month. The kick-off bag is this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Sara’s Gift Cache is supporting the Anchorage
Call ahead at 907-272-3877 or email SarasGiftCache@gmail.com to order the gift bags and choose from a handmade bag declaring fighter or survivor.
Get a $100 bag with a value of over $200 + a pink rose from Build it Balloon, or a $50 bag with a value of $75.
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Sara’s Gift Cache has kept its virtual doors open on Facebook Live since the start of the pandemic and you can check out their event page for ongoing live product sales on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Sara’s Gift Cache is now also welcoming customers in-store Thursday & Friday 3pm - 6pm, Saturday 12pm - 5pm.
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Participating artists in Sara’s Gift Cache themed bag series include:
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How to Get Involved with BuyAlaska |
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BuyAlaska is a multi-stakeholder initiative housed by the Alaska SBDC. Organizations and individuals statewide are welcome to join us in finding ways to elevate our economy.
If you haven’t already, opt-in as a BuyAlaska member (it's free to join) and we’ll email you when we have news, updates, and opportunities to support local businesses. Share the link with your social networks and help us get ‘The Buzz’ out about the benefits of buying local!
The BuyAlaska logo serves as a reminder to think Local First. Show your support for small businesses and visit our website at the bottom of BuyAlaska.com to get your free download of:
- The BuyAlaska Seal
- The ‘I BuyAlaska’ email signature
- BuyAlaska’s custom Zoom background
We want to hear from you. Consumers - what works for you to shop small? Business Owners - tell us how BuyAlaska can best serve you. Take our We Love Local survey to give us your input.
Alaska’s small local businesses deserve a lot of love and we want to share with the world how great they are. Follow us on the BuyAlaska social media channels and get in on the conversation!
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