Business briefs

Alaska Small Business Development Center

According to a press release, the Alaska Small Business Development Center was recently awarded $3 million in grant funding that will be distributed through the U.S. Small Business Administration to fuel two new initiatives made to strengthen entrepreneurship and healthcare across the state.

$1 million will go towards the Alaska Native Entrepreneurship Program to support a statewide program by providing AI-based tools and technology for rural communities and rural economic development organizations, new services and training to help expand business development resources in rural communities, and new opportunities to help rural businesses prosper.

$2 Million will go towards a new Alaska healthcare innovation program that will focus on identifying barriers to rural healthcare; prompting innovations in healthcare technology, services, and techniques; and developing and deploying AI-based technologies to healthcare providers.

Senator Lisa Murkowski was credited for helping make these grants possible.

“The Alaska SBDC is extremely thankful to Senator Murkowski for making these new initiatives possible. With these new funds, we will be able to bring new tools, technologies, and opportunities to Alaskans across the state,” Alaska SBDC State Director Jon Bittner stated in the press release.

For more information, visit aksbdc.org

First National Bank Alaska

According to a press release, First National Bank Alaska recently awarded $203,396 in its first quarter to communities across the state during the months of January, February, and March.

Recipients included health, social service, educational, civic and arts organizations.

That also includes supporting the Alaska School Activities Association with a $105,000 donation for title sponsorship of the 2023-24 school year. Other youth-focused recipients include Anchorage Youth Court, Fairbanks Suzuki Institute, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, CCS Early Learning, Gastineau Channel Little League, and Junior Iditarod.

“Helping Alaskans and their communities succeed is at the heart of everything we do,” First National Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer stated in the press release. “A big part of that mission is supporting our neighbors to build a brighter future for our great state.”

For more information, visit fnbalaska.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com