Administrative Agency:

State Agency: University of Alaska, Small Business Development Center

Program Goals:

To strengthen communities and grow local economies. The program has members in over 120 cities, towns, and villages throughout the state. Through its website, http://www.buyalaska.com, Buy Alaska provides the infrastructure for Alaska-based businesses to create a free web presence that allows them to be found online. The webpage also increases the Google ranking for members with existing sites by linking to them and providing valuable analytical statistics to target potential customers more effectively. Weekly newsletters keep the membership informed about ongoing events, sales and specials, and income opportunities in the form of bids.

Resource Provided:

For buyers: -Free sourcing services for all buyers at www.buyalaska.com. -Buyers can search by keyword, region, community, or category. -Results can be sorted by many variables. -Feedback can be given to specific businesses or to Buy Alaska . For businesses in Alaska: -Leads and sales opportunities from free business listing at www.buyalaska.com, including photo and company details. -Public awareness campaigns and cooperative advertising opportunities.

Eligibility:

Buyers: -Any buyer, including consumers, businesses, organizations, or government agencies. -Buyers may be located in Alaska or elsewhere. Businesses: Any business or organization with a location in Alaska is eligible. -This includes all service providers, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, crafters, and home-based businesses. -Businesses located in Alaska but that have owners or headquarters elsewhere also qualify. -Local retailers that are part of national chain stores qualify. -As long as the business or organization has a physical location in Alaska and employs Alaskans, its Alaskan location can participate. -Alaska sole proprietors are also included.

Program Contact:  (Primary Contact listed first.)

Klaus Reich, Program Director
Buy Alaska Program
Small Business Development Center
University of Alaska
430 West 7th Ave., Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99501-3550
Phone: (907) 274-7232 (800) 478-7232
Fax: (907) 272-0565
e-mail: info@buyalaska.com
Web site: http://www.buyalaska.com

Winnie Cichosz, Marketing Coordinator
Buy Alaska Program
Small Business Development Center
University of Alaska
430 West 7th Ave., Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99501-3550
Phone: (907) 771-4177 (800) 478-7232
Fax: (907) 272-0565
e-mail: winnie@buyalaska.com
Web site: http://www.buyalaska.com