At its August meeting, the Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) Board of Directors declared a dividend of $3.00 per share to be issued in December. The average BSNC shareholder who owns 100 shares of stock will receive $300.
“This is a record high dividend and a 20 percent increase from BSNC’s 2012 distribution,” said BSNC Board Chairman Henry Ivanof. “This distribution will bring the total dollar amount of dividends distributed in 2013 to $1,899,900 and is a reflection of BSNC’s commitment to providing meaningful benefits to its shareholders.”
As an ANCSA corporation, BSNC believes that being a successful and sustainable Alaska Native Corporation requires more than financial results. The Company works to improve the quality of life of its shareholders through economic development in the region and invests in tomorrow’s leaders and the communities in which we live and work by supporting programs and organizations that provide long-term solutions and make a difference in the lives of Alaska Native people. BSNC provides substantial support to the Bering Straits Foundation (BSF). BSF helps BSNC shareholders and their direct lineal descendants attain their educational and vocational goals by offering scholarship, fellowship and mentorship opportunities. In 2012, BSF provided more than $238,000 in educational funding to BSNC shareholders and their descendants. Since its inception in 1994, BSF has provided more than $1.8 million to the Alaska Native shareholder beneficiaries of BSNC to participate in post-secondary education.
BSNC is an Alaska Native Corporation that was established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. It is owned by more than 7,100 Alaska Native shareholders and actively pursues responsible development of resources and other business opportunities. Through its subsidiaries, BSNC serves the federal government and commercial customers throughout the Bering Strait region, Alaska, the United States and the world.