- By Cathy Pokines
- Business & Technology
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“The SBA is proud to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of the men and women who have played such a key role in the success of the economy and the prosperity of our nation,” SBA Administrator Steven Preston said. “I amproud torepresentan agency that touches so many people’s lives, not only helping them realize their dreams, but doing so in a way that provides jobs, expands our economy, and supports innovation in our country.”
The 2007 Small Business Week will be at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, where more than 100 outstanding small business owners from across the nation will be recognized. A highlight will be announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year and runners-up, selected from among state winners who represent a diverse cross-section of American business, ranging from a sausage maker and wine café, to a bee keeper and dog salon.
This year the SBA will present awards to honor a number of individuals and organizations:
- The National Small Business Person of the Year, selected from the 53 State Small Business Persons for the Year.
- The Champion Awards, recognizing both individuals and organizations for their achievements on behalf of small business, including minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses.
- The Phoenix Awards, recognizing a public official, a business owner and a volunteer whose efforts have enabled their businesses or communities to successfully recover from a disaster.
- Export Lenders of the Year, honoring financial institutions for financing small business exporters.
- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence, recognizing large prime contractors that have excelled in their utilization of small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors.
- The Gold Star Award, recognizing exemplary performance of federal staff who manage the aggressive goals and strategic initiatives that help ensure a role for small business in the federal marketplace.
- The Frances Perkins Vanguard Award, honoring government and industry for excellence in the use of women-owned small businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors.
- The Small Business Prime Contractor and Small Business Subcontractor of the Year, honoring small businesses that have provided government and industry with outstanding goods and services as prime or sub contractors.
Every president for 44 years has issued an annual proclamation celebrating Small Business Week. State award winners and recipients of the Champion and other special awards are nominated by local trade associations, chambers of commerce and business organizations. During Small Business Week, award winners will meet with top administration officials, members of Congress and leaders of national business organizations.
This annual celebration honoring the nation’s leading small business entrepreneurs is cosponsored by SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”
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