FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 8, 2021

Kawerak Inc. is proud to announce the launch of the BeringStrait.biz website, a central location to collect and promote local businesses in the Bering Strait Region.

“Sharing information with local residents, travelers and providers about services available will benefit all our communities. It will increase economic opportunities, connect people with needed resources,” says Alice Bioff, Kawerak’s Business Planning Specialist.

Alice has maintained a list of local businesses for years – which was great to reach out to businesses regarding opportunities – but it was difficult to manage with changing contact information and business details. It also was not available to the public. Her vision was to make this platform sharable and up-to-date for locals and travelers alike to patron establishments and advance the region’s economy.

The opportunity to develop the website came with one-time funding from COVID through the State of Alaska, as well as the Denali Commission. Each entity awarded $10,000 for the effort and a beautiful website resulted, beringstrait.biz.

“The best part is it is a website built and managed with a regional focus,” says Alice. “It’s not only informational, but it’s reflective of our culture, the region and the strengths in our communities.”

The website is live and open to the public to access information. Local businesses owners are encouraged to add themselves, add contact information, business description, photos and personal website information to direct potential customers to their business. This format puts the power to remain seen in the hands of the business owner.

The website also has a secondary focus; businesses can stay up to date with grant opportunities, business development trainings and more. Alice states, “There are so many resources available in the region, statewide and nationwide and the more ways we can support our local businesses and economies the better.”

 

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Kawerak Inc. acts in accordance with its mission, to advance the capacity of our people and tribes for the benefit of the region. Kawerak is a nonprofit tribal consortium that provides over 40 different programs to the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik and Yup’ik people who reside in 16 communities of western Alaska and represents the 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Strait Region.

 

Contact:

Alice Bioff, Kawerak Inc. Business Development Specialist

abioff@kawerak.org, (907) 443-4366