During the 2020 National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration will honor Resource Partners for their impact on local economic development, and support of small business creation and growth across the nation. Additionally, all of SBA’s resource partners are being recognized for providing resources to small businesses as they work to sustain their operations and employees, as well as pivot and retool amid the global pandemic. SBA is honoring the following Resource Partners with 2020 National Small Business Week awards:
- Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Business Center
- University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center
- Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University
- SCORE Chapter – Greater Seattle
The
award winners will be recognized during virtual events held on September 22-24,
2020. Each year, the SBA counsels, trains and advises more than one
million entrepreneurs and small business owners with the help of its resource
partners. Together, SBA Resource Partners provide business consulting,
access to capital, mentoring services, specialized training and the expertise
for each stage of a business’s lifecycle. Their outstanding efforts have
supported the growth of small businesses, which in turn drives the nation’s
economy. Entrepreneurs receiving resource partner assistance are more
likely to start a business and successfully obtain the financing necessary for
business growth.
The
SBA congratulates the following 2020 Resource Partner national award winners:
Women’s Business Center of
Excellence Award
Southeastern
Connecticut Women’s Business Center
Laura
Stetler, Project Director, Women’s Development Business Council
New
London, Connecticut
Since
2018, the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Business Center (WBC), based in New
London, has served the southeast part of Connecticut, including New London and
Middlesex Counties, with programs and services for aspiring, emerging and
established entrepreneurs.
The
Women’s Business Center of Excellence award honors the Southeastern Connecticut
WBC for its excellence and innovation in assisting women entrepreneurs by
providing diverse training and counseling.
The
state of Connecticut’s Women’s Business Development Council is host to three of
SBA’s WBCs, including the Southeastern Connecticut WBC. The WBC program
was founded to foster the growth of women-owned businesses by providing access
to education, training, mentoring, business development, and financing
opportunities to women throughout the U.S. and its territories.
Small Business Development Center
Excellence and Innovation Award
University
of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Raymond
Vargo, Director
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
Established
in 1979, the University of Pittsburgh has built an impressive record of service
for clients. Director Raymond Vargo believes three of his SBDC’s programs stand
out as key to area small business growth and development. A “Launch My
Business” workshop is geared toward providing small business startup advice to
entrepreneurs in coal-impacted communities interested in opening the doors to
small business ownership. the University of Pittsburgh SBDC’s “Problem
Solvers-Decision Makers” course brings small business owners together sharing
ideas and formulating solutions to growth issues. And two programs titled “UPMC
Essentials for Success and “Doing Business with Pitt,” registered such positive
feedback they’ve now been expanded into additional Pennsylvania communities or
emulated by other universities and colleges.
The
University of Pittsburgh SBDC is a member of the Pennsylvania SBDC and
the Association of Small Business
Development Centers (ASBDC) networks. As a member of
these networks, they can draw on a rich base to provide clients with a
comprehensive range of business services for every stage of development. No
matter what the business or industry, SBDC’s highly skilled consulting team has
experience spanning the business lifecycle and are here to make sure that
businesses not only survive but grow.
Veterans Business Outreach Center
Excellence in Service Award
Veterans
Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Fayetteville State University
Tamara
Bryant, Director
Fayetteville,
North Carolina
The
Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University provides
veterans, active duty, and military spouses with the tools needed to establish
and grow their businesses, generate profits, and become essential contributors
to the economic development of North Carolina. Last year, the VBOC at FSU
counseled 734 clients, contributing to the creation of 92 jobs. Thanks to a
strong partnership with local lenders, the center helped clients access more
than $1.2 million in startup and expansion capital.
The
center also conducted 43 Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot
classes, with 672 participants across four installations. During 2019, the
center also organized 60 seminars and training sessions for 1,558 participants.
SCORE Chapter of the Year
SCORE
Greater Seattle
Krista
Fuller, Chapter Chair
Tom
Hughes, Assistant District Director
Seattle,
Washington
SCORE
Greater Seattle has a proven track record of results and the ability to create
sustained community impact. With more than 100 skilled mentors and added
educational workshops, the chapter has helped Greater Seattle’s small
businesses to start and grow.
SCORE
Greater Seattle is viewed as one of the strongest chapters in the country. They
regularly assist other chapters with tools and advice on growing, improving,
and managing their chapters. They have developed best-in-class Volunteer
Engagement, Client Engagement and Community Engagement practices, which are
regularly shared with other chapters around the country.
In addition to the national virtual awards event, SBA offices in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam will celebrate National Small Business Week throughout September 2020. For registration and additional information on National Small Business Week, please visit sba.gov/NSBW.
