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Katie Nave, BuyAlaska Program Director, Alaska SBDC
Small businesses are the backbone of Alaska’s economy. They provide jobs, foster innovation, and help create a sense of community that’s uniquely Alaskan. However, these businesses face unique challenges, from geographic isolation to limited market access. That’s where the BuyAlaska Program steps in, working to support small business owners and encourage Alaskans to keep their dollars local.
What is BuyAlaska?
BuyAlaska is a program run under the Alaska Small Business Development Center with a clear mission: to strengthen Alaska’s economy by encouraging consumers to support locally-owned businesses. With a network of more than 1,000 Alaskan businesses, BuyAlaska connects consumers and businesses, fosters collaboration, and provides resources to help small businesses thrive.
At the heart of BuyAlaska is the belief that local businesses create a thriving Alaska. Every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community longer, multiplying its impact. Research shows that locally spent dollars generate significantly more economic activity than dollars spent at national chains or online. For Alaska, this is particularly crucial, as building a resilient local economy helps mitigate the state’s geographic and economic challenges.
Key Benefits of BuyAlaska
The BuyAlaska Program offers a range of benefits tailored to help small businesses succeed and thrive:
1. Free Membership
Joining BuyAlaska is free, making it accessible to all Alaskan businesses. Members can list themselves on the Alaska Business Directory, making it easier for consumers and other businesses to find and connect with them.
2. Increased Visibility
Members gain enhanced visibility through the Alaska Business Directory and are featured in newsletters, social media posts, and targeted marketing campaigns designed to reach Alaskan consumers.
3. Promotional Opportunities
Businesses can participate in seasonal campaigns such as the Holiday Gift Guide or submit their events to the Alaska Events Page to reach a broader audience and engage with their communities.
4. Business-to-Business Connections
The B2B Exchange allows businesses to list wholesale products or equipment, creating opportunities to source locally and collaborate with other Alaskan businesses.
Why Supporting Local Matters
When Alaskans choose to shop local, the benefits extend far beyond the checkout counter:
Economic Retention: Studies show that for every $100 spent at a local business, up to $63 stays in the local economy, compared to just $22 when spent at a national chain.
Job Creation: Shopping locally is so helpful in our economy that every dollar spent in Alaska boosts our job market’s growth four times faster than a dollar paid to out-of-state enterprises.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Local businesses collaborate to bring innovative ideas to light. These partnerships fuel growth, job creation, and more localized resiliency.
Resilient Communities: Supporting local businesses builds strong communities that can weather economic challenges and create opportunities for future generations.
The Power of Local Choices
Choosing to shop local isn’t just a small gesture; it creates a ripple effect that strengthens Alaska as a whole. Every transaction is a vote for a resilient, innovative, and connected economy. Supporting local businesses not only helps entrepreneurs keep their doors open but also drives job creation, provides opportunities for young Alaskans, and fosters a culture of sustainability and creativity that benefits everyone. As Alaskans, we face challenges that other states don’t, but those challenges also give us the opportunity to build a uniquely strong and self-reliant economy. It’s a chance to show what’s possible when we prioritize local solutions over outside influences. The question isn’t just “Why shop local?” but “Why wouldn’t we?”
A Call to Action
The success of the BuyAlaska Program hinges on the participation of businesses and consumers alike. For business owners, joining BuyAlaska is free and offers access to a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, promotional opportunities, and valuable resources. For consumers, supporting local businesses can be as simple as choosing an Alaskan coffee roaster over a national brand or shopping at a locally-owned store instead of an online retailer.
As we look ahead, the importance of building a resilient, locally focused economy has never been clearer. Whether you’re a lifelong Alaskan or new to the state, your support for local businesses makes a difference.
Get Involved
To learn more about the BuyAlaska Program or explore the Alaska Business Directory, visit BuyAlaska.com. Together, we can create a stronger, more connected Alaska by keeping our dollars local and investing in the businesses that make our state unique.
Click here to look through our BuyAlaska Holiday Gift Guide!
