News Release

AFN Announces 13 Winners with Surprise Announcement to Extend Competition: Winners to Split $300,000 in Seed Money - $300,000 More Still Up For Grabs!

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Oct. 23, 2008 -- Eleven of the 42 Alaskan entrepreneurs competing at the third Alaska Marketplace Competition in Anchorage will walk away with a share of $300,000 in seed money. The Alaska Marketplace, an initiative of the Alaska Federation of Natives, is sparking grassroots development in rural villages by funding Alaskans’ innovative ideas for new ways to revitalize rural economies from the ground up. Winners hail from a broad range of communities across Alaska.

The 2008 Alaska Marketplace theme, “Innovations for Thriving Communities,” reflects the Alaska Federation of Natives’ ongoing commitment to addressing the most pressing needs of rural and Alaska Native communities.

“We wanted to capitalize on the excitement generated by this year’s competition at the Convention, so we’re calling for another round of proposals due by Jan. 15, 2009,” said Julie Kitka, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives.

Yesterday, the Year 3 competitors, who spent months honing their innovative ideas, pitched their business plans and innovative concepts to a respected panel of judges. The judges evaluated participants’ concepts according to their innovation, sustainability and profitability, job creation and exemplification of Alaskan cultural heritage. The top vote getters will leave Anchorage with a portion of the seed money to launch their ideas.

The mission of the Alaska Marketplace is to stimulate innovation and economic development in rural Alaskan communities. Managed by AFN, the Alaska Marketplace partners include BP, ConocoPhillips, Denali Commission, Shell, Alyeska, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, The North Star Group and NANA Regional Corporation.

For more information about the Alaska Marketplace, visit www.alaskamarketplace.org.

2008 Alaska Marketplace Winners

A Cut Above Quilting ~ Barbara Ramos ~ Bethel ~ $46,575.00

Kvichak Organic Produce ~ AlexAnna Salmon ~ Igiugig ~ $36,900.00

Porcupine River Timber ~ Dacho Alexander ~ Fort Yukon ~ $30,000.00

The Meyers' Farm: Farming on the Tundra ~ Tim Meyers ~ Bethel ~ $30,000.00

Forest Firewood ~ Mark Leary ~ Bethel ~ $29,060.00

C Side Lumber ~ Fred Sagoonick ~ Shaktoolik ~ $27,945.00

From Shellfish Subsistence to Sustainable Farming ~ Marie Bader ~ Homer ~ $27,945.00

Cup'ik Dance Songs of the Tundra ~ Dr. John F. Pingayak ~ Chevak ~ $25,000.00

The Dugout ~ Louise Walcott ~ Nome ~ $18,630.00

Southeast Alaska Livestock Production & Processing ~ Clint Daniels ~ Sitka ~ $18,630.00

Tundra Woodworks ~ Patrick Hall ~ Chevak ~ $9,315.00

Peoples’ Choice Award Winners - Chosen by the Public ~ $1,000 Each Sponsored by Old Harbor Corporation, Tatitlek Corporation & NANA Regional Corporation

Best Display ~ A Cut Above Quilting ~ Barbara Ramos ~ Bethel

Most Innovative ~ Birch Water ~ Martin Kelly ~ Pilot Station

Best Example of Culture & Traditional Values ~ Yupik Arts ~ Cecilia Frenzle, Delta Junction

For more information about the Alaska Marketplace, visit www.alaskamarketplace.org.

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