The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is proud to reflect on a successful National Small Business Week (NSBW) which took place from April 28 – May 4, 2024.
In collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Alaska District Office, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRB-SF), we hosted an Interagency Small Business Forum to provide valuable resources and facilitated connections between entrepreneurs and crucial support organizations.
Our State Director, Jon Bittner, further enjoyed contributing to and participating in He facilitated multiple sessions, offered insightful input during a panel discussion, and served as Master of Ceremonies for the 2024 National Small Business Week Awards celebrating local entrepreneurs and SBA lending partners.
A surprise at the event? The Alaska SBDC itself was honored to receive an SBA Business Champion Award! This award recognizes the Alaska SBDC’s ongoing commitment to supporting Alaska’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.
We extend our sincerest congratulations to our dedicated statewide team, other resource providers, and incredible small business owners who were recognized during National Small Business Week. Your hard work and dedication are the backbone of Alaska’s economy and we are humbled to be a part of the journey!
Special congratulations to Alaska’s recognized entrepreneurs:
- Small Business Person of the Year: Kali C Bennett, The Waterworks – Spa Sauna Swim (Anchorage)
- Veteran Owned Business of the Year: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez, Coldfoot Environmental Services Inc. (Anchorage)
- Woman in Business of the Year: Jill Shari Ramiel, Silverbow Inn Hotel & Suites (Juneau)
- Minority Small Business of the Year: Dacia Smith, Green Gorilla Movers (Anchorage)
- Exporter of the Year: Hans Vogel, Triverus, LLC (Palmer)
And congratulations to the top Alaska lenders recognized:
- Lender of the Year: Evergreen Business Capital
- Community Lender of the Year: McKinley Alaska Growth Capital
- 504 Third-Party Lender of the Year: Northrim Bank