{
  "story": {
    "slug": "they-bet-on-locals-not-tourists",
    "headline": "they bet on locals, not tourists",
    "deck": "A barbecue joint in a town of 3,000 just got named Alaska's small business of the year.",
    "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/story/they-bet-on-locals-not-tourists",
    "section": "Economy",
    "area": null,
    "published_at": "2026-05-28T20:00:00+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:21:18.776302+00:00",
    "body_md": "Firebrand BBQ in Seward, owned by Chad and Stephanie Higgins, has been named Alaska's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an honor tied to National Small Business Week. The couple traveled to Washington, D.C. for the ceremony, joining honorees from every state and territory.\n\nThe recognition brings a national spotlight to Seward, a town of about 3,000 people on the Kenai Peninsula. For a small community, the honor is a marker of statewide pride, showing that a locally built business can stand alongside the best in the country.\n\nWhat stands out is where the business's success came from. Rather than relying on the summer surge of cruise ship and tour visitors who fill Seward during peak season, the Higginses credit year round regulars, hotel staff, and harbor and boat crews for steadily sending customers their way.\n\nThat word of mouth from locals, not the seasonal tourist rush, built Firebrand BBQ into the business that earned national recognition. For Seward and the wider Kenai Peninsula, the award is seen as a win for the whole community.",
    "sources": [
      {
        "url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/small-business/sba-honors-seward-bbq-as-small-business-of-the-year/",
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    "slug": "they-bet-on-locals-not-tourists",
    "summary": "Firebrand BBQ in Seward, owned by Chad and Stephanie Higgins, was named Alaska's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, tied to National Small Business Week. The couple traveled to Washington, D.C. The owners credit local regulars, not tourists, for the business's growth.",
    "key_facts": [
      "Firebrand BBQ is located in Seward, Alaska, a town of about 3,000 people",
      "Owners Chad and Stephanie Higgins were named Alaska's Small Business Person of the Year",
      "The award comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration, tied to National Small Business Week",
      "The couple traveled to Washington, D.C. for the ceremony",
      "Owners credit year round regulars, hotel staff, and harbor crews, not summer tourists, for their success"
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "Chad and Stephanie Higgins, who own Firebrand BBQ in Seward.",
        "q": "Who won Alaska's Small Business Person of the Year?"
      },
      {
        "a": "They built their customer base on year-round locals like hotel staff and harbor crews, not summer tourists.",
        "q": "What made their barbecue business grow in a town of 3,000?"
      },
      {
        "a": "The U.S. Small Business Administration, as part of National Small Business Week.",
        "q": "Who gives out this award?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Washington, D.C.",
        "q": "Where did they go for the award ceremony?"
      }
    ],
    "claims": [
      {
        "claim": "Firebrand BBQ in Seward, owned by Chad and Stephanie Higgins, was named Alaska's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/small-business/sba-honors-seward-bbq-as-small-business-of-the-year/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The Higginses traveled to Washington, D.C. to be recognized alongside honorees from every state and territory.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/small-business/sba-honors-seward-bbq-as-small-business-of-the-year/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The owners credit year round regulars, hotel staff, and harbor and boat crews for the business's success rather than summer tourists.",
        "confidence": "reported",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/small-business/sba-honors-seward-bbq-as-small-business-of-the-year/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      }
    ],
    "locations": [
      {
        "area": "Kenai",
        "kind": "city",
        "name": "Seward"
      },
      {
        "area": null,
        "kind": "city",
        "name": "Washington, D.C."
      }
    ],
    "people": [
      {
        "org": "Firebrand BBQ",
        "name": "Chad Higgins",
        "title": "Co-owner"
      },
      {
        "org": "Firebrand BBQ",
        "name": "Stephanie Higgins",
        "title": "Co-owner"
      }
    ],
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        "name": "U.S. Small Business Administration"
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    "story_status": "resolved",
    "what_changed": null,
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      "u.s. small business administration award",
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      "kenai peninsula small business"
    ],
    "disclosure": "Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing.",
    "generated_at": "2026-10-01T05:25:01.717+00:00",
    "reviewed_at": null,
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:21:18.776302+00:00"
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