Alaska Business
Covers COVID-19
The world, and Alaska in particular, is making great strides in moving past the COVID-19 pandemic.
But we’re not quite at the finish line. Many businesses are still recovering from 2020, and while 2021 may signal “back to the new normal” for some businesses, others will continue to feel the strain of a year-long pandemic economy.
We will continue to post updates for as long as we receive them on financial opportunities, changes in safety protocols, and any other relevant information that will help the Alaska business community continue to move forward.
As always, please be conscientious and prioritize your safety and the safety of others.
Latest COVID-19 News
All Alaska Housing Rent Relief Applicants Contacted
While the federal eviction moratorium expired on Saturday, July 31, 2021 Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has contacted all 30,000 applicants in Alaska Housing Rent Relief, reviewed all requests for past-due rent and paid $85.2 million.
SBA Administrator Announces Closure of Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program
“The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided desperately needed relief to more than 100,000 restaurants and other food and beverage businesses across the nation with significant funding going to our hardest-hit, underserved businesses,” says SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman.
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Incentivizes Vaccinations
“We are pleased to be playing a role in getting more Alaskans vaccinated and certainly agree that this is a major function in bouncing back from the pandemic,” says President and CEO Bruce Bustamante.
Resources for Businesses
MOA | Visit Healthcare
Anchorage businesses now have the opportunity to arrange mobile vaccination clinics for the worksite.
US Small Business Administration, Alaska District Office
The Alaska District Office of the US Small Business Administration’s website provides information on national assistance as well as local resources for businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic.
Alaska Small Business Development Center
The Alaska Small Business Development Center has a COVID-19 Resource Page to prepare and support local small businesses.
IRS
Information on Coronavirus Tax Relief from the IRS is compiled here, including the Employee Retention Credit, designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll.
The Get My Payment tool provides information on the status of stimulus payments.
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Grants
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority 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.
Get Vaccinated
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has information about vaccination and vendors providing vaccination services.
Here are additional CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons.
Get Tested
The Municipality of Anchorage is providing free COVID-19 testing through Visit Healthcare.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has up-to-date information on testing sites around Alaska.
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Alaska’s COVID-19 Alert Level Drops From High to Intermediate
“Due to the efforts of Alaskans protecting our most vulnerable, the early and rapid vaccination of our high risk population, and the widespread availability of vaccines and therapeutics, Alaska has seen a significant decline in COVID cases,” says Governor Mike Dunleavy.
Alaska SBDC Releases COVID-19 Impact Data on Small Businesses
A familiar story emerges from the data: COVID-19 has negatively impacted the hiring market and tourism-based businesses.
Anchorage Mask Mandate to Become Advisory on May 21
This change comes as a result of updated guidance from the CDC advising that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in most public settings, increased vaccination rates, and decreasing case counts in Anchorage.