Newsletter: Spruce Root celebrates its dedication to Southeast economic development

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(View this email in your browser) Spruce Root celebrates its dedication to Southeast economic development Welcome to the latest edition of the Spruce Root newsletter, where we bring you some exciting updates that underscore our commitment to fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities. From our recent participation in the Southeast Conference annual meeting to the prestigious recognition from the International Economic Development Council, and an opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs – this edition has it all!  Also in this newsletter:  Calling all Prince of Wales residents who want to start or expand your small business Juneau entrepreneurs, help us celebrate Alaska Startup Week Photo courtesy of International Economic Development Council International Economic Development Council President and CEO Nathan Ohle, left, poses with Program Director of Technical Assistance Ashley Snookes and IEDC Board of Directors chair Jonas Peterson. IDEC selects Spruce Root for 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Spruce Root is thrilled to announce that the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has selected the Path to Prosperity (P2P) suite of services as a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Award Winner.  IEDC is a non-profit membership organization for economic developers all over the world with more than 4,300 members. During its 2023 inaugural Recognition Night event on September 19th at the Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, the IDEC awarded Spruce Root a gold award for Multi-Year Economic Development, a gold award for Entrepreneurship and a silver award in Economic Equity & Inclusion. These awards are a testament to Spruce Root’s unwavering dedication to creating sustainable, thriving communities. READ MORE Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler Spruce Root attends Southeast Conference annual meeting Spruce Root Executive Director Alana Peterson attended the Southeast Conference annual meeting in Sitka. Alana appeared on a few panels and represented the work we are doing, including conversations around alternative approaches to return on investments, mariculture and the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy (SASS). At the meeting, Alana was able to spend time with Farah Ahmad, the deputy undersecretary for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD), and the undersecretary was able to learn more about Spruce Root programs and SASS. Nominate someone to join program for Indigenous entrepreneurs! Spruce Root is proud to roll out the Resilience Circles program, a trauma-informed, culturally responsive program to enhance the well-being and success of growing Native-led organizations. Resilience Circles is opening nominations for 10 participants to be invited to apply for this one-year program, which offers wrap-around technical support for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Nominations are open from September 29 until October 13th. If you know a Native entrepreneur who you think is ready to level up professionally and personally, fill out the survey and share their contact information and you will be given a prize if they selected as a candidate.  NOMINATE SOMEONE Oweesta to host Building Native Communities: Financial Coaching for Families The Building Native Communities: Financial Coaching for Families curriculum deepens financial educators’ ability to engage in one-on-one coaching relationships with their clients. This training is hands-on, interactive program that builds upon the skills and knowledge of the flagship Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families program. Developed in partnership with Seven Sisters Community Development Group, this training is geared toward practitioners with pre-existing financial education experience and a solid grasp of personal financial concepts. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alaska Time October 23-27, 2023 (Virtual) The event is made free thanks to generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation. REGISTER NOW! Photo by Tripp J Crouse Calling all Prince of Wales residents who want to start or expand your small business Join Spruce Root for a two-day Business Basics workshop from 2-6 p.m. October 23-24 at the Prince of Wales VocTec Center in Klawock. You will meet other local entrepreneurs and learn about marketing, financial planning, branding, break-even forecasting, licensing and more. The workshop is free and open to the public! Coffee and light snacks will be provided. This workshop is sponsored by Spruce Root with support from the Prince of Wales Island Chamber of Commerce. More information at spruceroot.org/businessbasics. REGISTER HERE Juneau entrepreneurs, help us celebrate Alaska Startup Week Join Spruce Root, the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) and the Downtown Business Association for a casual mixer 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, at Amalga Distillery, Juneau, in celebration of Alaska Startup Week. JEDC will provide light snacks and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Click here for more information. JOIN US Thank you to all our partners, supporters, donors and communities for continuing to share in our vision for the region! Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Our services for small businesses include coaching, training and lending for startup enterprises, working capital, business expansion, leasehold improvements and other business capital needs. We are a driver of a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place. Grow With Us Copyright ©2023 Spruce Root, All rights reserved. Thank you for joining the Spruce Root network. Please unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive updates. Our mailing address is: Spruce Root One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400 Juneau, AK 99801 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.