With local businesses reopening, the Juneau Empire is launching a new matching grant program to help spread the news.
Sound Publishing, which owns the Juneau Empire, is offering matching grants for advertising purchases to Juneau businesses to assist in economic recovery in the region.
“Basically what Sound has done is created this program, where if you decide to do some advertising and your budget is $500, Sound Publishing is going to match you with a grant,” said Romona Wigg, a multimedia sales representative with the Empire. “We know that businesses have suffered for the closures, and it’s the Empire’s way of helping to boost the economy or help the businesses out.”
The grants will range from $500 to $20,000 in advertising credits, matching the client, and can be used for both print and digital advertising. The program comes as many businesses have had to cut spending wherever they can to handle the post-coronavirus austerity in Southeast Alaska.
“We’re doing it to try to help local businesses get their advertising message out, whatever they want to say,” said Anna Uttereyuk, a multimedia sales representative with the Empire. “We’re matching their advertising dollars so they don’t have to stop advertising.”
The application for the grant is available at http://www.soundpublishing.com/grantapplication/, and takes only minutes to fill out, Uttereyek said. The grant application process will be open until June 30 and grants can be used through Aug. 31.
“It’ll take less than five minutes to fill out the survey with basic information and we’ll contact them within 48 hours to let them know,” Uttereyek said. “I want to make sure everyone has a fair opportunity to apply for the grant.”
The program is the first of its kind that, Wigg said.
“We’re a small business, too. Local businesses are an important part of our community,” said Josh O’Connor, president of Sound Publishing, in an email. “Whether it is the jobs they create or the services they bring, they are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
