Newsletter: Growth acceleration award paves way for green initiatives

Newsletter: Growth acceleration award paves way for green initiatives

Spruce Root is making significant strides in sustainability and economic development! We’re thrilled to announce that Spruce Root has won Stage Two of the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, positioning us to lead strategic development in our region. Additionally, the Coalition for Green Capital has chosen Spruce Root as its first network investment, underscoring our shared commitment to green growth initiatives. 

Spruce Root wins Stage Two of the U.S. SBA’s 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition

Spruce Root wins Stage Two of the U.S. SBA’s 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced late September that Spruce Root is a Stage Two winner for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC).  Spruce Root will receive a $150,000 cash prize for its approach to nurturing a collaborative national innovation ecosystem to advance small business research and development, from the idea stage to the market.

Congratulations to Rosita Worl on the recognition of your work

Congratulations to Rosita Worl on the recognition of your work

President Joe Biden awarded Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl with a 2023 National Humanities Medal at the White House. The award, from the National Endowment for the Humanities, honors an individual or organization whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizen engagement with history and literature or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to cultural resources.

Newsletter: Empowering artists, embracing traditions: Fall highlights with Spruce Root

Newsletter: Empowering artists, embracing traditions: Fall highlights with Spruce Root

We hope you are as excited for fall as we are. Spruce Root is offering a Business Basics for Artists workshop for all Southeast Alaska residents and Sealaska shareholders. The Sustainable Southeast Partnership catalysts connect through virtual culture camp and Lingít traditions. Some of our team members presented at U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola's forum on solutions to Alaska's outmigration crisis.

Alaska leaders discuss rural-to-urban migration challenges

Alaska leaders discuss rural-to-urban migration challenges

In September, U.S. Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola hosted a convening on outmigration to explore challenges and solutions related to rural-to-urban migration in Alaska and to the Lower 48.  Topics included climate change, food security, housing, economic development, and education.  Sustainable Southeast Partnership Deputy Director Shannon Stevens and Program Manager and Regional Catalyst for Workforce Development Michael Mausbach, shared success stories, covering workforce development and advocacy for Native CDFI funding. 

Business Competition finalists participate in a three-day training and networking event

Business Competition finalists participate in a three-day training and networking event

Twelve Path to Prosperity Business Competition finalists gathered at the Jorgenson House in Juneau to participate in a three-day intensive, where they learned about creating a business plan, the importance of financial projections and important customer service advice.  During these highly interactive sessions, finalists engage with Spruce Root facilitators, local business leaders who serve as mentors and each other as they grow a support network for each business.