The NSEDC Small Business Initiative is an avenue for individuals to promote and develop business ventures in an effort to help alleviate social and economic issues facing the Norton Sound region.  The NSEDC Small Business Initiative is patterned after the Alaska Federation of Natives highly regarded “Alaska Marketplace” and is aimed at identifying and funding business ideas that will stimulate and facilitate economic development in the Norton Sound region. 

After a series of review and interviews by an independent panel of judges, selected entrepreneurs will present their ideas to the same independent judges in person for the opportunity to be awarded a grant of up to $35,000.  NSEDC Small business Initiative applications are currently available.  The application period runs through July 15, 2009.  The application evaluation and judging process will take place in August and September, with award recipients notified in early October 2009.  Awarded recipients will present their business at the Bering Straits Regional Conference in 2010.

Small Business Initiative Pamphlet

2009 NSEDC SBI Application

Eligibility & Award Criteria

For more information, please contact Tiffany Martinson, Katie Peterson or Paul Ivanoff, III.

NSEDC Nome Tiffany Martinson P.O. Box 358 Nome, AK 99762 Phone: (888) 650-2477 Fax: (907) 443-2478

NSEDC White Mountain Katie Peterson P.O. Box 189 White Mountain, AK 99784 Phone: (877) 938-6542 Fax: (907) 638-6707

NSEDC Unalakleet Paul Ivanoff, III P.O. Box 193 Unalakleet, AK 99684 Phone:  (800) 385-3190 Fax: (907) 624-3183

Other Resources Available

• Kawerak, Inc. Community Planning and Development
  Contact: (877) 219-2599
  
  
• State of Alaska Small Business Center
  Contact:  (907) 269-8104