The longer I’ve been in Alaska and with the Alaska SBDC, the more convinced I am that the two most optimistic groups of people are small business owners and people who think this time, the warmer weather really is Spring and not another pause before more snow. I think that optimism will serve both groups well as we move (eventually) into Spring and Summer.
As various seasonal industries like fishing, tourism, and construction gear up for their busy times, it’s important to ensure your business is financially ready for the coming growth and associated expenses! It’s no coincidence that the Alaska SBDC focuses on financial literacy in April. Check out our workshops or contact your Business Advisor to start that accounting Spring cleaning started early!
Speaking of financials, take a look below at what the Alaska State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program has been up to after one year of operations.
Spoiler alert: they’ve already deployed almost two-thirds of their $59 million in funding and are on track to deploy the final third before the silvers come in! Congratulations to Jay, Dawn, and Tyler from the SSBCI team for their amazing work!
Lastly, keep an eye out for Alaska SBDC team members coming to a community near you this summer! Our SSBCI Technical Assistance, Rural Development, and BuyAlaska programs are all gearing up to hit the ground running with events, training, advising, and more to dozens of locations across the state. If your community is interested in getting on the list, contact us today and see what we can do to help small businesses in your region!
I hope everyone is as excited for Spring and Summer as we are. We’re launching and expanding an unprecedented number of businesses and community assistance programs this year and can’t wait to show you what we can do. Additionally, watch for more information about our recently launched AI Business Resource Center!
As always, we can’t wait to help you make your business dreams come true this year. Together, we can continue to help Alaska’s economy grow and thrive!
Jon Bittner
Alaska SBDC Executive Director