Why Manufacturing and Onshoring Matter More Than Ever
Alaska has always been a place where people make things work. Sometimes literally.
From food producers and processors to manufacturers supporting fishing, construction, energy, and mining, Alaska businesses are building, moving, and selling goods in some of the toughest conditions in the country. That work is not just impressive. It is essential to our economy, our communities, and our long term resilience.
This month, we are focusing on manufacturing and onshoring and how Alaska based businesses are strengthening local supply chains, supporting food security, and creating jobs closer to home.
Manufacturing as Food Security
When food is grown, processed, packaged, or distributed in Alaska, it does more than support a single business. It helps stabilize prices, shorten supply chains, and reduce our dependence on shipments from Outside that can be delayed by weather, logistics, or global disruptions.
Local food manufacturers, processors, and value added producers play a critical role in Alaska’s food supply and food security. From seafood processing and wild food products to small batch food manufacturers and agricultural operations, these businesses are helping ensure Alaskans can access locally produced food year round.
Manufacturing in this space also creates ripple effects. It supports fishermen, farmers, truckers, warehouse operators, and retailers across the state.
Making Things Here, Not Waiting for Them to Arrive
Onshoring is about producing goods closer to where they are needed. In Alaska, that concept takes on a different level of urgency.
Manufacturers who repair equipment, fabricate parts, process raw materials, or support industries like energy and critical minerals help reduce downtime and keep operations moving. When something breaks in rural or remote Alaska, waiting weeks for a replacement is not always an option.
Local manufacturing supports faster response times, stronger supply chain resilience, and more control over costs. It also creates skilled jobs and keeps expertise in state.
Workforce Challenges and Opportunities
Manufacturing businesses across Alaska consistently point to workforce challenges. Finding, training, and retaining skilled workers is not easy, especially in smaller communities.
At the same time, manufacturing offers strong career pathways. These are hands-on jobs that pay well, build transferable skills, and support long term economic stability. Supporting training, apprenticeships, and business growth in this sector is an investment in Alaska’s workforce and its future.
Women Leading in Manufacturing
March is Women’s History Month, and it is a good time to recognize the women who are leading manufacturing, food production, and industrial businesses across Alaska.
Woman owned manufacturers are building companies in spaces that have not always made room for them. They are launching food brands, running processing facilities, leading fabrication shops, and scaling production operations that serve local and national markets.
Their work strengthens Alaska’s economy and challenges outdated ideas about who belongs in manufacturing. These businesses are innovators, problem solvers, and employers who are shaping what modern manufacturing looks like in Alaska.
- Friends by the Ocean (Kodiak, AK)
- Forget Me Not Pottery (Wasilla, AK)
- Alaskan Mist Soaps (Ketchikan, AK)
How Alaska SBDC Can Help
The Alaska Small Business Development Center works with manufacturers and product based businesses at every stage. From startup planning and financing to operations, marketing, and growth strategy, our advisors help business owners navigate the realities of making, moving, and selling things in Alaska.
That includes support related to access to capital, supply chain challenges, workforce planning, and expansion into new markets. We also offer no-fee workshops and on-demand trainings designed specifically for Alaska businesses, including:
- Funding readiness and access to capital
- Financial literacy and cash flow management
- Marketing and sales strategies for product-based businesses
- Operational efficiency and production planning
- Leveraging AI tools to improve systems and productivity
If you are part of Alaska’s manufacturing ecosystem, or considering bringing production closer to home, now is the time to explore the resources available to you:
- Explore the SBA’s Make Onshoring Great Again Portal
- Access national tools through America’s SBDC Manufacturing & Onshoring Hub
- Discover the Alaska SBDC’s dedicated Manufacturing Resources page to access tools, guidance, and strategic insights
And when you are ready, connect with an Alaska SBDC Business Advisor or register for an upcoming workshop at aksbdc.org.
Manufacturing in Alaska is not easy. But it is powerful. And when these businesses succeed, Alaska is stronger for it.