Alaska Business
Covers COVID-19
We’re in the midst of an uncertain social and economic environment. COVID-19 has sparked worldwide health concerns, and attempts to prevent the spread of the virus are creating challenges for small and large businesses alike.
Alaska Business believes in our mission to be a resource for Alaska businesses, and as a member of the media, we do receive ongoing updates about the virus and how Alaska’s businesses are responding to it. We have compiled below information for businesses looking to reopen, economic resources for businesses and individuals, links to mandates and advisories, and a few examples of Alaska businesses that are stepping up to help.
Whatever your job requires of you in the oncoming weeks, please always be conscientious and prioritize your safety and the safety of others.
Reopening Alaska
- Alaska Occupational Safety and Health is providing several resources to help employers reopen safely, including a COVID-19 Safety Plan, consultation visits, training opportunities, and more.
- Here are guides from the SBDC on reopening Alaska businesses by industry.
- Here is guidance from Governor Dunleavy regarding reopening Alaska.
- Here is guidance from Acting Mayor Quinn-Davidson regarding reopening Anchorage.
- Businesses in Anchorage that prepare food or interact directly with the public can get assistance acquiring PPE through the Frontline Safety Business initiative.
- Alaska-based businesses can request PPE through Alaska MEP. Find more information and apply here.
Get Tested
The Municipality of Anchorage is providing free COVID-19 testing. Participants can register with Visit Healthcare (which is providing the testing services) ahead of the test and save time while at the testing site. Testing locations and the dates and times they’re open are listed below.
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Muldoon Community Assembly |
7041 Debarr Rd., Anchorage |
M T Th F S |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
|
Z J Loussac Library |
3600 Denali St., Anchorage |
M W F S |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
|
Changepoint Center |
6689 Changepoint Dr., Anchorage |
M W F S |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
|
|
Alaska Geological Materials Center |
3651 Penland Parkway, Anchorage |
M F S |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
|
11801 Business Park |
Eagle River |
M F S |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
|
Fairview Community Rec Center |
1121 E. 10th Ave., Anchorage |
W |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Resources for Businesses
Hospitality Industry Relief Program
Starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 12, bars, breweries, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses in Anchorage can apply for grants ranging from $7,000 to $30,000 to offset financial challenges due to COVID-19. Businesses with liquor licenses should apply through Alaska CHARR and other hospitality businesses should apply through AkHR.
ANC Small Biz Alerts
The Anchorage Economic Resiliency Task Force and the Anchorage Innovation Team have launched ANC Small Biz Alerts, a text messaging tool, to keep Anchorage business owners informed during the pandemic.
The service send texts to subscribers with information on everything from relief funds to safety criteria for businesses to operate.
Text STRONG to 907-891-7192 to subscribe.
The Employee Retention Credit from the IRS
The IRS launched the Employee Retention Credit, designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll.
AK SAFE Guarantee Program
AIDEA is collaborating with Alaska’s financial institutions to provide loan guarantees up to $1 million per borrower for Alaska businesses impacted by the COVID-19 economic crisis. Information on the program can be found here.
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Grants
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority has awarded sixty-two COVID-19 response grants totaling more than $1.2 million to partner organizations across the state. Based on the response to the program, and assessed partner need, trustees approved up to $1.5 million for this program. The Trust is still accepting applications for its COVID-19 response grant funding. For grant guidelines and eligibility information, please visit the Trust COVID-19 response grant webpage.
Resources for Individuals
COVID-19 Hotline
The Alaska Bar Association has launched a free hotline to help Alaskans who are struggling with legal issues as a consequence of the statewide impact of COVID-19 related to employment, family law, and debt and foreclosure issues. Call 1-844-263-1849 with a non-criminal legal question on Monday (employment), Wednesday (family law), or Friday (debt/foreclosure) between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to speak with a volunteer lawyer.
Alaska Job Center Network
Job seekers and employers in The Last Frontier have access to a variety of employment services through Alaska’s Job Center Network.
AK Can Do
United Way and The Alaska Community Foundation, with support from the Rasmuson Foundation, have partnered to create AK Can Do, which allows Alaskans with the means to donate to COVID-19 relieve and Alaskans with a need to get assistance.
Mandates & Advisories
- The State of Alaska COVID-19 website is a one-stop-shop for Alaskans as they navigate the resources that the State of Alaska is offering.
- The Anchorage Assembly has created a website that outlines it’s plans to use $156 million to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
- For those planning to travel out of Alaska, Alaska Airlines has published guidelines for its various destinations.
- Visit Coronavirus.gov for federal updates on COVID-19 in the United States; information on symptoms and what to do if you think you’re sick; and President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America.
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Acting Mayor Quinn-Davidson Orders Modified Hunker Down in Anchorage Starting December 1
“This is not an easy decision. I have been working for weeks with our community partners to find alternatives to issuing this type of emergency order. But I must protect our community, and that requires issuance of this EO,” says Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson.
Alaska Travel Industry Association Supports Governor’s New Health Orders
The Alaska Travel Industry Association is urging all Alaskans to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19 to ensure everyone’s safety while allowing tourism businesses to keep their doors open.
Tested Positive for COVID-19? Blood Bank of Alaska Needs Your Plasma
Blood Bank of Alaska has an urgent need for convalescent plasma from those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
MOA Accepting Applications for Individual Artist and Expanded Hospitality Business Relief Grants
Practicing individual artists can now apply for COVID-19 economic relief funding through the city, and eligibility criteria has been expanded to accommodate some hospitality businesses that were excluded from round one funding of the Hospitality Business Relief Grant Program.
COVID-19 and Fishing in the Last Frontier: What’s on the Line?
Alaska’s fishing industry is facing ongoing challenges that have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anchorage: Wear a Mask, Socially Distance, and Wash Your Hands or a Second Hunker Down Is on the Horizon
Acting Anchorage Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson is modifying two emergency orders to strengthen mask mandates and place more stringent guidelines on indoor gatherings and events in the hope that—in the near future—even more strict restrictions will be unnecessary.