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Empower Your Neighbors - Shop Alaska First!
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
I recall a conversation I had many years ago with an old Sourdough in Sitka. He shared with me his account of the “Dirty Thirties” in Southeast. According to him, that tumultuous decade that nearly broke America was very challenging, but his sense was it was much easier for people in Alaska than in the lower 48.
I’ve thought of this conversation many times over the years. According to him, “Bellies stayed full, and folks stayed dry.” Certainly, the abundance of seafood, wildlife, and the know-how to go and get it contributed to some in Alaska to have enough in the era of the Great Depression. But if it was indeed easier in Alaska at that time, it most certainly because of Alaska’s collective culture of looking out for your neighbor. A tradition that has been here for a very long time.
Right now, there are plenty of challenges for some in Alaska. But there is a way for bellies to stay full and folks to stay dry in Alaska in 2026. It starts with us empowering our neighbors when we shop with Alaskan-Owned Brands first.
When you shop with Alaskan-Owned businesses, your dollars stay right here, fueling local jobs, recirculating again and again, while they support Alaskan families that go on to strengthen our communities across the state.
This is more than a marketing pitch, like “it costs more but it’s worth it.” This approach of going to extremes to do business with Alaskan-Owned brands could be an effort to help insulate Alaska (and those within) from challenges faced by those in other states. My gut tells me Alaskans are a little more “Statriotic” than others. Let’s continue to build those bonds of local collaboration.
Thank you for continuing to Shop Alaska First!
Blake Messer
Alaska Means Business
