A Note from the Alaska SBDC Acting State Director | | | | |
November always brings a renewed sense of gratitude, but this November I’m especially thankful for our strong Alaskan spirit.
Like many of you, my thoughts have been with the individuals and communities across Western Alaska whose lives and livelihoods were upended by the storms, flooding, and high winds brought by the remnants of Typhoon Halong.
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From villages in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta to the Northwest Arctic, families and businesses are now in recovery mode after communities were severely battered and their infrastructure damaged. Yet even in hardship, we’ve seen the best of Alaska; neighbors helping neighbors, and organizations across the state, including the University of Alaska Anchorage, stepping up to provide support and shelter when it was needed most. That same spirit of compassion and resilience is what makes Alaska’s communities, and the businesses that serve them, so extraordinary.
On October 29, our staff were proud to welcome SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Governor Mike Dunleavy to our Anchorage office to visit the newly opened SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC). The Center, located in our Anchorage SBDC Bragaw office, is staffed by SBA specialists who help businesses, nonprofits, and individuals navigate low-interest federal disaster loans as part of Alaska’s broader recovery efforts. We’re thrilled to partner with the SBA by sharing our space; our office has definitely been livelier with our new SBA office mates across the hall. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by for a cup of coffee and say hello.
We’re also especially grateful to Calista Education and Culture (CEC) for partnering on this effort. The CEC team translated the SBA’s disaster loan PSA into Yup’ik, and a staff member graciously volunteered to record the narration so that vital recovery information reaches more Alaskans in their first language. The videos should be posted any day now, so please watch for them and share them widely to help ensure they reach those who need the information.
As we head into the holiday season, mark your calendar and plan your route to Shop Small and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, November 29. The day celebrates Alaska’s entrepreneurs and the power of keeping your dollars close to home. And when you BuyAlaska, you help those local dollars go even further, strengthening communities, families, and neighborhoods across our state.
From all of us at the Alaska SBDC, thank you for continuing to build, support, and believe in Alaska’s small-business community.
Kendra Conroy
Acting State Director
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Alaska SBDC offices will be closed November 27 & 28
for the Fall Holiday
| | What's New at the Alaska SBDC | | SBA Disaster Assistance at UAA's Alaska SBDC | | | | The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest disaster loans to help Alaskans recover from recent storms, flooding, and high winds in Western and Northern Alaska. Homeowners, renters, small businesses, and nonprofits can apply. Essential equipment, including boats and snowmachines, may qualify. The SBA opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the UAA Alaska SBDC in Anchorage. Staff are available to answer questions and guide applicants through the process, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. Stop by or visit sba.gov/disaster for details. | | November 29: Small Business Saturday! | | | | |
When you shop local, more of your dollars stay in Alaska, supporting jobs, community growth, and businesses that make each town unique. About 68 dollars of every 100 spent at a small business stays in the local economy.
Borrow our Saturday plan:
• Grab coffee from a local café
• Shop Alaska makers and small retailers
• Dine at local restaurants
• Find local businesses at BuyAlaska.com.
| | Royal Caribbean’s Port Partners Program | | | | |
Royal Caribbean Group has launched its first Port Partners initiative in Seward, offering a 10-week business accelerator to help local entrepreneurs kickstart their ventures. Classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6–8 p.m., Feb. 17–Apr. 23, 2026, at AVTEC, with potential college credit and up to $20,000 to launch your business.
Applications are open through Dec. 15, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to grow your business with guidance from company representatives and local leaders.
| | March 6: Save the Date for the SBDC Summit! | | | | |
Healthcare costs rising. AI everywhere (but is it useful?). E-commerce that works across Alaska’s unique markets.
The 2026 Alaska SBDC Summit tackles these challenges head-on. You’ll learn:
• How to manage healthcare costs
• AI tools that work for small businesses
• E-commerce strategies built for Alaska
AND - Connect with fellow business owners who get what it takes to succeed in Alaska!
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On October 1, Alaska SBDC partnered with Amazon Web Services and PREDICTif Solutions for a statewide virtual AI Pitch Showcase. Highlights:
• 9 finalists tackling Alaska challenges
• $50K in AWS support awarded
• Solutions for Tribal communities, rural safety, food access, and more
🏅 1st: Lorenzo Chu, Arcnito.com
🥈 2nd: Cody Rice, Alaska Intelligence (AI)
🥉 3rd: Lee Brown, Safe Wild
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At EMERGE 2025, the largest event for the California SBDC network, AI Resource Program Director Carlos Machuca shared how our AI Resource Center is leading the way in helping entrepreneurs harness AI.
A keynote from Alaska proved that innovation doesn’t just come from Silicon Valley, it thrives in the place with more moose than traffic lights!
Big thanks to the California SBDC for the warm welcome and collaboration.
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Rural Center Director Ruth Wolfe led an engaging session at the Elders and Youth Conference highlighting Alaska Native entrepreneurship and the support available through the Alaska SBDC.
The panel featured four incredible business owners sharing their journeys, challenges, and successes.
It was an inspiring conversation celebrating Indigenous innovation, leadership, and the future of entrepreneurship in Alaska.
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Thanks to KeyBank, our “Cash Flow to Capital: Mastering Financial Readiness” workshop on November 4 was offered free to all participants! Small business owners learned practical strategies to manage cash flow, prepare for funding, prevent financial fraud, and use banking tools to grow their businesses.
Presented by Carrie Callaway Cardy and Garet Plantz, the session gave attendees actionable guidance, one-on-one support, and light refreshments, helping Juneau’s business community build stronger financial foundations for long-term success.
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Alaska SBDC was out in full force for fun and fitness! Anchorage Business Advisor Ginny Grabowski and SSBCI Tribal Operations Specialist Genta Lena, joined Girls on the Run for their annual Spark the Fun & Run 5K at Goose Lake Park, complete with field-day activities.
Big news: Girls on the Run has also been nominated for a Chamber Gold Pan Award.
Cheers to inspiring young Alaskans and strong community partnerships!
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🎃 Alaska SBDC brought some magic to this year’s Scary Scholars forum at UAA! Acting State Director Kendra Conroy and Director of Special Programs & Strategy Gretchen Fauske showcased the SBDC’s “spellbinding” programs; from statewide advising and the BuyAlaska Program to AI resources, SSBCI initiatives, and this year’s Summit.
With innovative research, Scary Scholars proves that creativity and groundbreaking ideas are alive and well at UAA, and we’re thrilled to be part of the magic! 🧙♀️✨
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Alaska’s entrepreneurs face challenges like no one else- remote logistics, seasonal markets, and global competition.
Shopping local on Small Business Saturday (November 29) and all year-long helps these innovators grow, create jobs, and keep Alaska’s economy strong.
Show your support and spread the local love!
DOWNLOAD: Your FREE Alaska Shop Small Heart or
CUSTOMIZE it with your logo to share online or in your storefront.
Visit BuyAlaska.com for local inspiration!
| | Alaska SBDC Workshops & Events | | Workshops Tailored for Your Success | | |
Entrepreneurs are resilient and gritty. No matter the hour or where you live in the state, we're right there with you.
Visit our website for our suite of statewide SBDC workshops to get started at your convenience and at your pace. Remember to ask your Alaska SBDC advisor about accessing client discounts on fee-based workshops!
All Alaska SBDC workshops are free for active duty military, spouses, and veterans. Contact us to set that up for you!
Upcoming Workshops:
| | Alaska SBDC Success Stories | | |
Since 1986, the Alaska SBDC has been dedicated to helping Alaska’s small businesses start, grow, and thrive through expert advising, workshops, and resources.
Check out our recent success stories and join us in celebrating the incredible entrepreneurs who make our communities stronger!
| | Alaska SBDC Business Programs | | | | |
AI isn’t just for big companies; Alaska small businesses are using it right now to save time and money. Aspire Med Spa in Anchorage worked with the Alaska SBDC’s AI Resource Program Director Carlos Machuca, to integrate AI into their marketing and client engagement. The result: smarter campaigns, faster workflows, and savings of about 10,000 dollars per month.
This work is part of America’s SBDC AI U initiative, funded by Google, which brings AI training and 1:1 coaching to small businesses across the country. Alaska SBDC is proud to be part of this national effort, helping entrepreneurs explore practical AI tools without the guesswork!
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This season, Alaska businesses can shine with #PutYourMoneyWhereYourMittensAre. Show off your bestsellers, fan favorites, or products you’re proud to make to get in front of Alaskans ready to shop local.
1️⃣ Post your hot item on social media
2️⃣ Tag @buyalaska.local.first and use #PutYourMoneyWhereYourMittensAre
3️⃣ They'll reshare your post all season, giving your business a boost and spreading the local love!
It’s simple, fun, and free marketing that helps Alaskans see what’s trending right here at home.
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Our Tribal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and Technical Assistance teams continue to work tirelessly with our lending partners and Tribal consortium members to expand economic opportunity across Alaska.
In October, they convened their third Tribal Advisory Board meeting at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention to share updates, impact, and what’s ahead. Thanks to their efforts - and the partnership of 125 Tribes - the Alaska Tribal SSBCI Consortium is leading one of the most impactful small business initiatives in the nation with:
• $59.2M in loans delivered
• 49 Alaska businesses funded
• 20 communities supported
This work is helping Alaska build a stronger, more resilient economy. Every business financed means jobs created, local dollars reinvested, and new opportunities taking root in our communities.
We're honored to help power that progress.
| | Partner & Statewide Updates | | SBA Relief Still Available to the Native Village of Kipnuk Businesses, Nonprofits & Residents Affected by August 2024 Severe Storm & Flooding
The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 8, 2026 | | | | |
Downtown Anchorage’s small businesses are invited to take part in this year’s Small Business Saturday, an annual event encouraging residents and visitors to support local retailers, restaurants, and service providers during the holiday season.
Want to participate? Register here!
This initiative coincides with the 6 PM Holiday Tree Lighting event in Town Square Park, which brings hundreds of families downtown and helps generate strong weekend foot traffic!
| | | | The Alaska SBDC network and its programs, housed within the University of Alaska Anchorage, are funded by a $777,777 grant from the US Small Business Administration which is matched by $777,777 of non-federal funds. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations 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. | | | | |
