Bay Welding Services Awarded Alaska Chamber 2019 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award

Homer’s own Bay Welding Services has been honored with the 2019 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year award.

The Bill Bivin award pays tribute to Alaskan, independently-owned businesses that demonstrate community involvement, leadership in their field, business ethics, and organizational excellence.

General Manager Eric Engebretsen and wife Theresa attended the Awards Banquet at Alyeska Resort. Eric accepted the award on behalf of the Engebretsen family, which started Bay Welding Services. He thanked the Alaska Chamber and Homer Chamber of Commerce, saying the “great relationship with the Homer Chamber has been “mutually beneficial” for Homer. He also spoke to the importance of partnerships within the state. “Everywhere we go, we try to bring the message that keeping business in Alaska is good for all of us.”

Bay Welding Services, which employs an average of twenty workers year-round, is experiencing strong growth as their reputation grows across Alaska and beyond. They take pride in hiring local employees who have practical experience in the maritime fields and providing on-the-job training across skillsets. A notable accomplishment is the production of the largest boat ever built in Homer. The Goldbelt Seawolf is a seventy-four foot quad Scania powered catamaran capable of carrying 120+ passengers, and its September launch drew over 100 spectators to Northern Enterprises Boatyard to view its launch using the largest hydraulic crane in the state of Alaska.

South Peninsula Hospital CEO Ryan Smith, who has a Bayweld Boat on order, was also in attendance at the Awards Banquet, along with Homer delegation to the Fall Forum—Chamber Interim Executive Director Jan Knutson and Keri-Ann Baker, past president of the Homer Chamber Board of Directors and Homer liaison to the Alaska Chamber Board of Directors.

Over 130 representatives from Chambers of Commerce across the state have convened for the three-day Alaska Chamber Fall Forum at Alyeska Resort.