Best in the West backs Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta entrepreneurs
April 14, 2017
A dozen entrepeneurs have received a total of $35,225 through the 2017 Best in the
West small business competition sponsored in part by the UAF Kuskokwim Campus Yupiit
Piciryarait Cultural Center.
The annual competition is a grassroots effort to promote jobs and economic stability
by building small businesses in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region.
The 2017 winners are:
- Marlena Dhaemers, Sandpiper Stitching, $2,500
- Leslie Boelens, Aniak Community Market, $2,500
- Zhi Hastie, Made With Love, $5,400
- Caroline Hessler, Caroline's Creations, $250
- Josh Howell, Howell Mobile Truck and Equipment Repair, $6,400
- Laura Karr, Bethel Bookkeeping, $1,400
- Michelle DeWitt, Eric Whitney, Christina Desnoyers, Salmon Cycles, $3,400
- Kate McWilliams, Arctic Belle Boutique, $2,425
- Bill Howell, Bill's Meats, $4,400
- Hannah Howell, Sew Cool, $250
- Gail Alstrom, Eagles Nest Lodge, $2,900
- David Beans, Matty’s Truck Rental, $3,400
Since 2009, Best in the West has supported 57 small business start-ups with $222,970 in award money.
The funding partnership behind the competition includes the Kuskokwim Campus Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, Bethel Community Services Foundation, First National Bank, Donlin Creek LLC, Calista, GCI, Bethel Native Corp., Kuskokwim Art Guild, Bethel Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Village Region Fund, Wells Fargo and ConocoPhillips.
This year's judging committee voted to start a Best in the West Foundation, planning for the future growth of businesses in the Y-K Delta. The partners welcome regional and statewide organizations to join the consortium.
The YPCC will offer workshops for entrepreneurs and small businesses during summer and fall 2017.
The 2018 Best in the West competition will open for applications Dec. 1, 2017. Anyone with a business idea can talk to Reyne Athanas at 907-543-4538 or Grady Deaton at the YPCC during regular business hours.