3 minute read
Technical Assistance: ‘Raising the bar for excellence’
By Ashley Snookes, Director of Client Services
Spruce Root remains deeply invested in supporting the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Southeast Alaska — a project we have been involved with since our organization’s inception. As we build on the past decade of work, we continue to pilot new programs, test new programs and iterate based on the feedback of our clients.
Each year, our organization surveys past participants to learn about the impact of our work, as well as where we can grow and improve. The 2023 survey had 71 responses. Of these respondents, 60 percent reported either starting or expanding their businesses with Spruce Root’s assistance, while 80 percent strengthened
their professional and personal networks. The survey also revealed that 82 percent identified as Alaska Native, and 79 percent as Sealaska shareholders. Moreover, 41 percent of respondents measured the triple bottom-line impacts of their businesses, with 35 percent implementing corresponding practices. Half the respondents cited personal savings as their primary source regarding access to capital, yet 60 percent expressed a likelihood of seeking loans within the next five years. We’ve integrated Indigenous values into our Technical Assistance program, incorporating them into new and existing programs and curricula.
Throughout 2023, we continued to enhance our pilot Business & Balance as an alternative format for our business competition, and built out Business Basics Online, a new self-paced online format to provide entrepreneurs with on-demand courtesy of International Economic Development Awards access to our programming.
We launched Business Basics Online, providing asynchronous access to training, which resulted in 103 enrollments and 46 completions in 2023. Additionally, we conducted in-person Business Basics workshops for Tlingit & Haida citizens and supported McKinley Alaska Growth Capital in facilitating their North Slope Marketplace competition, based off our flagship Path to Prosperity Business Development Competition.
Our Technical Assistance team delivered more than 436 hours of coaching and revamped our triple-bottom-line curriculum better to integrate place-based, culturally responsive learning modules and activities. We also organized a retreat at the Native Conservancy’s island property in Cordova for Technical Assistance and Lending staff to better understand the developing mariculture industry and Indigenized work culture and to deepen soft skills such as project management, facilitation and coaching.
We were thrilled to be recognized for our achievements, as we received the 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Award, from the International Economic Development Council, as well as two other awards.
“Spruce Root has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Path to Prosperity programs. This award is a testament to Spruce Root’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present Spruce Root with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
We continued providing free one-on-one coaching in areas related to small business development, workforce development and financial wellness. Technical Assistance staff also supported the completion of 43 business plans, small business mentorship opportunities, and workshops for business, financial wellness and work readiness.
Workshops were held online via a digital cohort model and included in-person sessions in Klawock, Craig, Angoon, Haines and Sitka, among other places. We also finalized a video orientation for Fast Start Loan applicants to streamline the process and enhance client understanding and access to capital.
