Alaska's top women-owned business: an annual directory of women who own businesses and provide jobs to their communities.

This year, 81 women are recognized for their role as owners of a business in Alaska, most with revenues above $250,000. These women provide jobs to employees, donate to nonprofits and others in the communities they work in, and volunteer for various projects and organizations.

Still,

81 is a far cry from all the women who own businesses in the state. The Center for Women's Business Research provides estimates for privately held companies owned at least 50 percent by a woman or women. It also includes firms that are privately held that are "majority (51 percent or more) owned by women, and firms equally (50-50 owned by a woman or women along with a man or men."

The results of their survey is as follows:

* In 2004, there were ah estimated 36,404 privately held women-owned firms (50 percent or greater) in Alaska, accounting for 58.6 percent of all such firms in the state. These firms generate $8.5 billion in sales and employ 54,687 individuals. About 9,750 of these provide jobs to employees.

* Of the 36,404 firms, there were approximately 21,789 privately held majority (51 percent or more) women-owned firms in Alaska, about 35.1 percent of all such firms in the state.

* Also, included in the above total, were an estimated 14,615 privately held women and men-owned firms that existed in Alaska, accounting for 23.5 percent of all privately held firms in the state.

* From 1997 to 2004, privately held (50 percent or more women-owned) firms increased by 16.2 percent. Employment grew by 49.9 percent. And sales increased by 49.1 percent, according to the center.

* Alaska ranks 45th in the nation for the number of privately held (50 percent or greater) women-owned firms in 2004. It ranks 47th in employment and 44th in sales.

* For overall growth, Alaska ranks 16th in the nation for overall growth of 50 percent or greater women-owned firms.

If your women-owned business (51 percent or greater) has revenues of $250,000 or more and you would like it to be included in this free listing next year, contact Stacie Hamill at 276-4373; e-mail, circ@akbizmag.com; fax, 279-2900; or by mail at 501 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99503. Readers can also nominate businesses to be included.

Most of the info in this directory introduction came from the Center for Women's Business Research.