A Note from the Executive Sponsor |
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Another month has gone by and Spring is getting so close that I'm already dreaming of all the places across Alaska I want to see (and hopefully fish!). Meanwhile, the team here at BuyAlaska has been busy working with local Chambers of Commerce, tourism marketing organizations, private sector partners, and more to come up with ideas and programs that will help our local businesses hit the ground running this summer! We're also excited to announce even more additions to the BuyAlaska business directory. If your business isn't in there yet, now's the time! It's free and comes with a variety of discounts and benefits.
We also love promoting other "buy local" efforts across the state! Check out the article below on the Made in Skagway program helping people find goods made in the Skagway Borough. Or swing by Legg Life's Shop49th.com website to see some of the businesses they're featuring to try and help them increase sales and offset some of the lost tourism revenues that are expected this year. If your community or organization is doing something creative to help small businesses, please reach out and let us know! We would love to showcase the awesome work you're all doing!
Last but not least, I hope you're all taking advantage of the last few sleepy weeks before the summer slam by picking up some new skills to help your business survive and thrive in 2021! The Alaska SBDC is offering all of its workshops for free right now due to COVID-19 and there's a fantastic article below on the Anchorage Community Land Trust's Anchorage Online Bootcamp program which will help 30 lucky businesses to help them get their e-commerce skills up to speed!
We're excited to see what this summer brings and we can't wait to see all the different ways Alaskans come together to help each other as this crisis slowly comes to an end. The BuyAlaska team is here to help, I hope you reach out and let us know what we can do for you. In the meantime, stay safe and shop local!
Sincerely,
Jon Bittner
Alaska SBDC Executive Director
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This March we are highlighting our Alaska industries and their contribution to Alaska's economy |
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Follow us throughout this month on social media, tag your favorite Alaska manufacturer and use #BuyAlaskaIndustries
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Food and Agriculture
Beverage
Seafood
Metal Manufacturing
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Aerospace and Aviation
Boat Manufacturing
Alaska Native Art
Clothing
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BuyAlaska Partner Highlight |
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Amy Geiger, Explore Fairbanks |
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Explore Fairbanks is pleased to join BuyAlaska to support statewide businesses and encourage Alaska residents and visitors to purchase merchandise, services, and adventures from Alaskan entrepreneurs. Our mission, “To be an economic driver in the Fairbanks region by marketing to potential visitors and optimizing the visitor experience,” dovetails well with BuyAlaska’s mission “To amplify Alaska businesses through connection, awareness, and improved access resources.”
COVID-19 hit Alaska small businesses hard and one of the best ways to assuage these trying economic times is to buy local. To this end, Explore Fairbanks developed two marketing campaigns in 2020 to encourage local spending and in-state travel. Our multipronged Explore Local campaign that encouraged people to rediscover their own backyard segued into the Explore Statewide/Road Trip campaign to inspire statewide residents to visit Fairbanks via the road system. Both campaigns are ongoing in 2021 and employ online, print, and digital advertising, social media and website posts, community perspectives, and media engagement. Central to these are a series of videos crafted to encourage people to Explore Local and Explore Fairbanks Responsibly—the latter being a theme that emerged as a result of COVID-19.
Tourism offers unparalleled opportunities for local entrepreneurs to participate in the economic success of a basic industry at the ownership level. This is evidenced by the fact that Explore Fairbanks’ cooperative destination marketing program is powered by more than 400 partners which are primarily small businesses. We focus on sustainable, continued growth in the local visitor industry by marketing to local, statewide, domestic, and international tourism. We are proud to team up with BuyAlaska to support Alaskans supporting Alaskans as well as encourage those visiting our glorious state to purchase made-in-Alaska products, services, and adventures. Learn more at ExploreFairbanks.com.
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In Business for Alaska Businesses |
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Promotional items are available for Alaskan-owned businesses - for FREE!
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30 Anchorage Businesses to Receive E-Commerce Skills Training with Online Bootcamp |
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What is Anchorage Online Bootcamp?
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, businesses were forced to adapt by moving their sales online. Many businesses who didn't already know how to do that were left behind. To help bridge this digital divide, Set Up Shop is offering a FREE program to support existing neighborhood businesses. The program will be offered in two 8-week cohorts, with the first cohort coming up soon!
Participating businesses will receive FREE:
Training- 16 hours of training on the following topics: digital marketing, e-commerce, social media presence, using branding/logos, DIY product photography, and maintaining online products.
Logo, Branding and Photos- All businesses will receive a customized scope of work for updating logo and branding, one page of copy language, and product/business photography.
Social Media Support- All businesses will graduate with a revamped social media presence, using the updated logo, branding, and photos, as well as two months of drafted social media content.
Website Build- Businesses will work with a contractor to build a new website or e-commerce store.
Marketing Resources- Successful graduates will be awarded a $500 stipend to boost their business online
Who Is Eligible?
The program is open to existing Anchorage businesses, with priority given to businesses in the Mountain View, Fairview, Spenard, and Muldoon neighborhoods.
How Do I Apply?
Applications open soon! The application will open on our website on March 15th, and will remain open until March 26th, with interviews scheduled afterwards. 30 businesses will be admitted. Participants must be available for weekly classes, with additional work and one-on-one support outside of class hours. To learn more and apply, visit: anchoragelandtrust.org/set-up-shop/program-services/bootcamp
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Kenai Incentivizes Local Spending with "Shop All Year in Kenai" Program |
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In an effort to provide economic relief and stimulus to Kenai small businesses, the City of Kenai has partnered with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center to develop a $350,000 Shop Local program (Shop Here All Year in Kenai). This program works to incentivize local spending in the Kenai community and provide economic support during a usually slow time of year.
Patrons who spend $200 at ANY business on discretionary items within Kenai City limits will qualify for a $100 voucher to spend at one of the programs participating small businesses. Patrons can also spend $100 at ANY business on discretionary items within Kenai City limits and qualify for a $50 voucher to spend at one of the programs participating small businesses. The program runs until April 1st, when residents and businesses may benefit from the program the most - or until funds run out!
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Made in Skagway Highlights Depth and Quality of Artists and Crafts People |
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Skagway Alaska has long been known as the “Gateway to the Klondike”. One important aspect of this community that has escaped most people’s attention is the depth and quality of its many artists and craftspeople. With a rich history and integrated culture of art and craftsmanship in Skagway, the Skagway Development Corporation became committed to helping increase exposure and sales of locally made products as an avenue to boost the local economy.
Thus, the Made in Skagway program was established to help increase exposure and sales of locally made products by authenticating member’s products as having been produced within the Borough of Skagway and helping to market their work to visitors and outside consumers.
Our members' talents range from photography, to body products, sculptures, goldsmithing, and more! Check out our member’s work. Everyone is sure to find something they need. Plus, it’s BuyingAlaska, shopping small, and supporting an Alaskan household to its core.
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LeggLife Leaps Into Action for Alaska Tourism Businesses with Shop49th.com |
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As soon as we heard the news that there would be no Alaska cruise season again in 2021, our hearts sank and we knew we had to help. Over the past 5 years, we’ve been fortunate to build an online audience through our LeggLife YouTube channel. So, we began to wonder how we could use our platform to help Alaskan businesses. That is where Shop 49th was born.
Each month we’re selecting 3 - 5 Alaskan small businesses in areas of our state that are impacted by the lost cruise season and we’re asking our viewers to support those businesses by shopping online.
We’re just finishing our first month, and what a month it’s been! The amount of orders from these businesses has been overwhelming in the best possible way! We’re so thankful that our LeggLife viewers are showing up to support these small businesses.
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Voyij.com and The Iditarod Team Up to Deliver Stylish Merchandise to Your Door |
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This Saturday, March 6th, the mushers are off! Show your support for Alaska’s beloved Iditarod while also staying nice and warm in premium Iditarod athletic wear.
Iditarod and Voyij, an Alaskan family business, are bringing stylish merchandise to you with free domestic shipping and affordable international rates.
Get Iditarod sportswear, accessories, and home decor for the entire family, featuring beloved premium brands.
Get 10% off any VOYIJ Premium Iditarod product with CODE: MUSH10 at checkout.
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Discover Alaska's Manufacturers with the BuyAlaska Directory! |
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Be a Part of the BuyAlaska Discount Club |
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Interested in providing discounts to other BuyAlaska members?
Give us the details and let's work together!
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Think Local First
Sign up as a member on BuyAlaska.com and we’ll email you when we have news, updates, and opportunities to support local businesses.
Share our newsletter link with your networks and help us get ‘The Buzz’ out about the benefits of buying local!
Follow us on BuyAlaska social media channels and get in on the conversation. Alaska’s small businesses deserve a lot of love. Share how great they are with the world.
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We welcome all input in finding ways to elevate our economy.
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The BuyAlaska Program is a multi-stakeholder and statewide initiative housed 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) |
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