National Small Business Week Recognizes The Importance Of Small Businesses To The U.S. Economy

For more than 50 years, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week is co-hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses and a resource partner of SBA. The event takes place this week (April 30 – May 6, 2023).

“National Small Business Week celebrates the resilience, innovation, and economic power of America’s small businesses and innovative startups,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman “Amidst a record-breaking 10.5 million people applying to start a new business under the Biden-Harris Administration, I’m thrilled to showcase our highly-impactful entrepreneurs who build prosperity in their communities while strengthening our nation’s global competitiveness.”

This year marks the return of in-person awards ceremonies in Washington, D.C., for the first time since 2019. On Monday, May 1, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman will name the National Small Business Person of the Year from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. She will also honor individuals in the award categories below:

Small Business Exporter of the Year

Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year

Small Business Subcontractor of the Year

8(a) Graduate Firm of the Year

Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence

Other Award winners include:

• Stonehenge Community Impact Fund, L.P. of Columbus, Ohio, and Balance Point Capital Partners, L.L.C. of Westport, CT have been named the 2023 Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) of the Year.
• Sciencix, headquartered in North Carolina, has been named the 2023 Small Business Exporter of the Year.
• Phoenix Award for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery: Tyson Grenzebach, President/CEO, Landlocked Industries, Lake Charles, LA.
• Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official: Kathy Stewart O’Nan, Mayor of Mayfield, KY.
• Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer: Sandra Kaye Delk, Volunteer, Mayfield, KY.
• Colorado service-disabled veteran-owned defense support services firm Delta Solutions & Strategies, LLC as National Prime Contractor of the Year.
• Connecticut woman-owned electrical contracting company Dicin Electric Company as National Subcontractor of the Year.
• Puerto Rico HVAC engineering company Multi Air Services Engineering, Corp as 8(a) Graduate Firm of the Year.

The SBA also congratulated the 2023 Resource Partner winners:

• SCORE Chapter of the Year from Broward County, Florida;
• Women’s Business Center of the Year from San Diego, California;
• Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award for the SBDC in Miami, Florida; and
• Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award from Tukwila, Washington.

The National Small Business Week Virtual Summit takes place on Tuesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 3. The schedule of workshops is available here. Additionally, on May 3, in conjunction with Small Business Week, Biz2Credit will announce its annual Top 25 Best Cities for Small Business.

Every day, entrepreneurs work to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness. National Small Business Week highlights the impact of outstanding small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.