The Arctic Slope Regional Corp. board has declared a fall dividend of $41.96 per share, or $4,196 per 100 shares, to be paid to shareholders in December.

"The 2009 fall dividend is the result of ASRC's continued financial success throughout 2009," said Bobbi Quintavell, president and chief executive.

The ASRC board typically authorizes two dividend distributions, one in the fall based on preliminary year-end financial performance estimates, with a "true-up" dividend in the spring, based on final financial results.

The total amount to be paid shareholders in December will be $46.6 million, the Barrow-based regional Native corporation's second-highest regular distribution. With this payment, the company will have paid $410 million in dividends since its inception in the early 1970s, the company said.

Arctic Slope operates in four major business segments: petroleum refining and marketing, government technical services, energy services and construction. It also is part owner of the Alpine oil field on the North Slope.

Microsoft VP to lead discussion

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's Make it Monday forum features "Investing in Technology," by Microsoft Corp., 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Monday, Dena'ina Center, second floor. Robert McDowell, vice president for information worker business value at Microsoft Corp., will discuss how businesses can focus on identifying critical problems and solve them by applying the latest technologies.

Prepaid reservations are highly recommended and are required to guarantee food availability and space.

RSVP, 272-2401; www.anchoragechamber.org.

YWCA offers entrepreneur class

YWCA Anchorage Women$Finances Brass Tacks Business Basics Class, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 324 E. Fifth Ave. The class is geared to those thinking about starting their own business. Topics include the preparation process, planning the business, writing a business plan and marketing and running a business. Cost is $75 and includes books and materials; scholarships are available. RSVP, 644-9611, www.ywcaak.org.

Conference looks at innovation

"Showcasing Solutions: Strengthening Alaska's Entrepreneurship and Innovation" is the subject of a conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott.

The event sponsored by the Institute of the North and a variety of partners includes panel and small-group discussions on the current state of entrepreneurism in Alaska, identifying challenges to entrepreneurism and innovation in the state, identifying opportunities and the value of mentors.

Panelists include Mead Treadwell of Venture AdAstra; Alice Rogoff of the Alaska Native Arts Foundation; Bob Kaufman of the Alaska Channel; Will Anderson of Koniag Inc.; Sidney VanNess of Acumantra Solutions Inc.; Flora Teo of Junior Achievement; Charlotte Fox of the Alaska State Council on the Arts; Craig Nolte of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; Hugh Schort of Alaska Growth Capital; Martin Swilling of Startup Professionals Inc.; Allan Johnston of the Entrepreneurs and Mentors Network; Brian Holst of the Juneau Economic Development Council; Tyler Arnold of Snobby Slice; Carolyn Kinneen of Snowglobe; Mark Davis of the state Department of Commerce; and Christi Bell of the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development.