Village Planning & Development Program

Issue 1 ● May 2018

Welcome!

Welcome to Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Business Digest. Within the digest you will find

upcoming economic and business development information including, what TCC Planning and

Development program is up to, what you may need to know about your credit report and score, and

resources available to start or expand businesses in the TCC region! Also, be sure to check out our

updated Planning and Development website for more resources and tools!

What is economic development?

A set of programs and policies that aid in the creation, retention, and expansion of jobs; the

development of a stable tax base; and the enhancement of wealth.

What is community economic development?

It is a process by which communities enhance the quality of life of their residents by increasing choices

and creating new community and business wealth.

IN THIS ISSUE:

VP&D Program

launches BDS Pilot

Project

TCC CEDS

2017 Small Business

Survey Report

Credit Report/Score

Business Resources

TCC MISSION

Tanana Chiefs Conference provides a unified

voice in advancing sovereign tribal

governments through the promotion of

physical and mental wellness, education,

socioeconomic development, and culture of

the Interior Alaska Native people.

VILLAGE PLANNING

& DEVELOPMENT MISSION

Provide technical assistance to

Tribal Councils to support sustainable

community development for the Interior

Alaska Native People.

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Village-based BDS & other trainees participant in a Business Planning Training facilitated by SBDC

TCC Business Development Specialist Project

TCC Village Planning and Development Program offered a Business Development pilot project to tribes to

develop a business plan. Tribal Councils contracted with TCC to hire a village-based employee and

receive training and technical assistance. The contract runs from February to June. In order for tribes to

be eligible they must have an updated community plan with goals relating to the proposed business.

Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest 3

In February 2018 TCC VP&D Program contracted with

Venetie, Nulato, and Rampart to hire a local Business

Development Specialists (BDS) in their community to

create a business plan for the tribes. The BDS is

currently in the process of developing the material and

partnerships.

The VP&D Program provides technical assistance/

mentorship during the contract.

Village-based employees and their supervisors

participated in a Business Planning training held in

Fairbanks February 2018. The training was facilitated

by the Alaska Small Business Development Center

(AKSBDC) and introduced the training participants to a

Business Plan toolkit, which is a step-by-step guide to

writing a business plan. This training was also was

advertised and offered as a free training to local

Fairbanks residence.

About the Project

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TCC Comprehensive Economic Develop Strategy

What is a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)?CEDS is a tool for community based and regionally driven economic planning, with strategies and an implementation plan for creating stronger and more resilient communities and economies. CEDS is an important part of the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) programs, and are often required in order to be eligible for federal and other grant funding.

About TCC’s CEDS

TCC received funding from EDA and with assistance from Agnew::Beck, developed a 2016-2020

CEDS to identify ways to strengthen the regional economy. TCC saw the need for assistance, as

communities and residents struggled to meet their daily needs, and pushed forward toward

development of this CEDS. The EDA cannot provide grant assistance without a current and active

CEDS.

“I would offer that the CEDS would be most effective by

helping remote, rural communities to maintain the

dominant, preferred economic activity while strengthening

the supplemental nature of the local cash economy, doing

nothing to harm or endanger the former. When properly

considered and weighed, our communities are practicing

economic development in a very real sense and experience

a certain level of security as participants in the wild

resource economy. They are self-employed providers of

their families, elders, infirm and needy. It represents their

traditional form of “social security” and it has existed for

thousands of years. It’s time we clearly articulated and

quantified this. Participation in the cash economy is also

necessary and important but must exist in harmony and

compatibility with the mainstay wild resource economy.”

Will Mayo

Executive Director of Tribal Client Services

July 2016

FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE: TCC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is on our website:

https://www.tananachiefs.org/get-assistance/village-planning-grant-writing/economic-development/

Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest 5

CEDS Goals & Objectives

The primary goals of the TCC CEDS are to expand employment opportunities for residents in rural

Interior Alaska and to improve the quality of life.

Goal #1: Promote Healthy Communities and a Strong Quality of Life

Objective A: Self-Sustaining Local Governments

Objective B: Healthy Communities

Objective C: Strong Cultural Traditions and Community Heritage

Goal #2: Strengthen Traditional and Non-Traditional Businesses and Develop a

Stronger Workforce

Objective A: Improved Regional and Community Coordination on Economic Development Efforts

Objective B: Thriving Business Development and Entrepreneurship

Objective C: An Educated, Motivated Workforce

Objective D: Residents have Basic Financial Skills

Goal #3: Support the Development, Maintenance and Improvement of Critical

Community and Regional Infrastructure

Objective A: Region-wide Access to Reliable, Affordable Energy Sources

Objective B: Communities have Adequate and Reliable Infrastructure

Objective C: Region-wide, Cost Effective, Sustainable Water and Sewer Infrastructure

Goal #4: Expand Housing Supply

Objective A: Affordable Housing Available for All Residents

Objective B: Existing Homes in the Region are Safe and Well-Maintained

Goal #5: Promote a Healthy Environment and Carefully Manage Natural Resources

Objective A: Healthy and Resilient Environment

Objective B: Sustainable use of Natural Resources to Support Community Economies

CEDS Priority Strategies

A: Move forward with self-governance efforts and independent control of tribal funds.

B: Develop tools to assess and clearly communicate the economic value of wild resource harvesting

and other traditional cultural practices.

C: Collaborate, region wide, to build on current and emerging business opportunities.

D: Expand existing education and workforce development opportunities.

E: Implement energy efficiency improvements and alternative energy systems.

F: Expand community infrastructure to support increased viability of local jobs.

G: Improve transportation routes and expedite delivery of goods and quality services to TCC

communities.

6 Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest

Statewide Small Business Resources

Alaska Small Business

Development Center

The Alaska Small Business Development Center provides

no-cost advising services and low-cost educational

programs to small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Alaska.

CONTACT: www.aksbdc.org, or call 907-786-7201 or toll-free (in-state only) 1-800-478-7232.

The Alaska Business Development Center, Inc

The Alaska Business Development Center, Inc. (ABDC) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit

corporation that provides business consulting and tax related services to rural

Alaska residents.

CONTACT: htttp://www.abdc.org

State of Alaska Business

The State of Alaska Business website has a wide array of information to file for

your business license and learn more about starting a small business.

CONTACT: http://alaska.gov/businessHome.html

The Alaska SCORE Chapter

The Alaska SCORE chapter provides free and confidential one-on-one

business counseling and workshops for both start-ups and seasoned

small business owners.

CONTACT: https://alaska.score.org/about-us-23

Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest 7

2017 SBDC Alaska Small Business

Survey Report

The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has published its first annual Alaska Small

Business Survey. It illustrates resilience in Alaska’s small businesses. information on where to find the

2017 Small Business Survey Report. Surveys were completed by over 350 Alaska SBDC clients across

the State of Alaska. The survey report gives insight on employment and Alaska’s economic health.

FIND OUT MORE ONLINE You can find the full report at the SBDC Website

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Credit Report

Starting a Business? If interested in starting a business, you may need to apply for a business loan to help with startup costs. Having a good credit report and credit score will help you obtain the loan.

Credit Reports

Credit reports are a detailed summary of one’s credit history. It contains an individuals history of

paying bills and the status of loans and credit accounts. It helps to determine the credit worthiness of

an individual.

Credit Score

Your credit score is a number based on credit information that is used by lenders when making

decisions to evaluate risk, check qualifications, determine the credit limit, determine the amount of

loan, determine interest rates, determine insurance rates. Scores may range from 300 to 850.

You will get the best

interest rates every-

where

You will be approved

almost anywhere with

good rates

Creditors will give you a loan, but

with high interest

Only secured loans are

given for people in this

range

CREDIT REPORT COPY

Free credit report once every 12

months from each credit reporting

company/bureau.

•AnnualCreditReport.com

•877-322-8228

Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest 9

Credit Building Is your credit where you want it to be? If not, you can still build and manage your credit. It’s never too late to learn to monitor your credit and budget your finances.

Build your credit by following these simple steps:

Open a credit card account

Purchase a secured credit card with cash deposit

Open a joint/sponsored account

Open a cell phone, cable or internet account

Be Pro-active. Start now. Be positive. And keep it simple.

Credit Management

Keep a Job

Stay in one place

Pay Bills On Time

Keep your Debt Low

Charge only what you can afford to pay off

Create a Budget and Stick To It.

Be responsible with your credit card

Take control of your debt

Credit Report Monitoring

Check your credit report annually

Keep informed of your credit

Track changes on your report

Check for accuracy on your report

Check for new accounts

Protect yourself against Identity Theft

“Be careful of foolish spending; I spent half my life racking up credit cards and loans, then the other half of my life trying to pay it off. With hard work and discipline, you too can experience financial freedom. Learn to control

your credit, don’t let it control you.“

LaVerne Huntington Planning & Development Manager

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Interested in Starting

Your Own Business?

20 Questions to Answer Before Starting a Business

1) Why am I starting a business?

2) What kind of business do I want?

3) Who is my ideal customer?

4) What products or services will my business provide?

5) Am I prepared to spend the time and money needed to get my business started?

6) What differentiates my business idea and the products/services I will provide from others?

7) Where will my business be located?

8) How many employees will I need?

9) What types of suppliers do I need?

10) How much money do I need to get started?

11) Will I need to get a loan?

12) How soon will it take before my products or services are available?

13) How long do I have until I start making a profit?

14) Who is my competition?

15) How will I price my product compared to my competition?

16) How will I set up the legal structure of my business?

17) What taxes do I need to pay?

18) What kinds of insurance do I need?

19) How will I manage my business?

20) How will I advertise my business?

QUESTIONS FROM SBDC TOOL ON STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest 11

Doyon, Limited

Doyon, Limited’s Lands & Natural Resources Department provides construction aggregate materials

(sand, rock, gravel) for state, federal, tribal and local projects in the Doyon-TCC region. The Lands &

Natural Resources Department manages active material sites throughout the region, builds strategic

partnerships for the development of sand, gravel, and rock, and works directly within communities to

assist in developing capital improvement project opportunities.

Requests for material sales can be directed to Ray Richards, Materials Engineer, at 907-459-2030

or richardsr@doyon.com.

Sand, Gravel & Rock

Headquartered in Fairbanks, Doyon, Limited has more than 19,800

shareholders and was established under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims

Settlement Act. Doyon has businesses in oilfield services, government

contracting, and tourism and is also the largest private landowner in

Alaska and one of the largest in North America. Its mission is to

continually enhance its position as a financially strong Native corporation

in order to promote the economic and social well-being of its

shareholders and future shareholders, to strengthen its Native way of life,

and to protect and enhance its land and resources.

For more information, visit www.doyon.com.

12 Tanana Chiefs Conference • Business Digest

CONTACT US

Tanana Chiefs Conference

122 First Avenue, Suite 600

Fairbanks, AK 99701 Phone: 907-452-8251

LaVerne L Huntington, Planning and

Development Manager

LaVerne.Huntington@tananachiefs.org

Renee Linton, Community Planning

Coordinator

Renee.Linton@tananachiefs.org

Visit us online at www.tananachiefs.org

Tanana Chiefs Conference

122 First Avenue. Suite 600

Fairbanks, AK 99701

PLACE STAMP HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Robinson & Ward, PC

June 2—How to Start a Small Business

June 4—Social Media & Business Development Class

$50 per class

3098 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Find out more by e-mailing Shelby@rwcpaak.com