Choose Local First

Alaska is well known for its tall mountains, numerous glaciers, and wild animals. Look closer, and you’ll see that Alaska’s small businesses are the backbones of our communities—in addition to giving Alaska towns their distinct character, they sustain our economy and create the resiliency our regions need to thrive.

A recent study by the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development (CED) found that 63% of local business revenues stay in the state and circulate. Just 22% of non-locally owned business revenue remains in-state. Alaska’s local businesses work together and utilize the resources they have around them. Businesses that form partnerships and source goods and services from fellow local businesses multiply everyone’s revenue potential. According to the CED, a $20 per household per week shift in spending to local businesses would contribute an additional $308 million to Alaska’s GDP.

When we support the growth and development of local small businesses, they are able to provide us with the things that we need to survive. Much of Alaska is dependent on the Lower 48 and vulnerable to disruptions in the food supply. We import 95% of our food and export the majority of our seafood. However, community-supported agriculture (CSAs), community-supported fishery programs (CSFs), and a rise in mariculture and greenhouse operations are helping to create sustainable systems for our food supply and local economies.

Alaskans are known for resiliency, and we are sustained and supported by our local communities. There is no limit to what Alaskans can achieve from working together. For Alaska businesses and our economy to retain resiliency, we need to uplift our small businesses. We need them, and they need our help. It all begins with choosing local first.

Visit BuyAlaska.com, or email buyalaska@aksbdc.org to find out more.

BUYALASKA CONNECTS US

If you’re a business, join the BuyAlaska directory. More than 511 small businesses across the state have already gotten listed to collaborate with other local businesses and connect with consumers.

Alaska consumers: visit BuyAlaska to sign up for the newsletter and be part of the #BuyAlaska movement

This sponsored content is brought to you in partnership with the Alaska Small Business Development Center. Read it in the Summer 2020 digital edition.