President of the ANCSA Regional Association, Nicole Borromeo, issued the following statement after Monday’s unanimous passage of House Joint Resolution 44 which declares the State’s support for the continued participation of Alaska Native Corporations (ANC) in the Small Business Administration’s 8a program. The joint resolution also urges President Donald Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the Small Business Administration to oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken participation by ANCs in the 8a program.
Borromeo’s statement in full:
We are pleased that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the critical role ANCs play in driving Alaska’s economy, and how participation in the 8(a) business development program helps ANCs achieve that success. With the unanimous passage of these joint resolutions, Alaska’s legislature joins our congressional delegation and Governor Dunleavy in support of ANC participation in the 8(a) program.
In 1992, Congress explicitly included ANCs in the 8(a) Small Business Act as an economic development mechanism to advance Alaska Native self determination. Today, ANCs support over 150,000 shareholders using profits generated from their business activities, including revenue from federal contracting activities through the 8(a) program. Beyond their shareholders, ANCs and ANC-owned contractors also support 51,000 jobs in all 50 states, including 8,270 direct jobs and 15,470 induced jobs in Alaska alone.
Alaska is unified in its support for continued ANC participation in the 8(a) program. ARA will continue to work with state and national-level elected representatives, business partners, and federal officials to ensure that our collective voice is heard on this issue.
