News Summary
During National Small Business Week, several small business owners in Upstate New York were recognized for their contributions to the local economy. The Small Business Administration held an awards ceremony at Onondaga Community College, honoring business leaders such as Shawni Davis, who won Small Business Person of the Year, and Dr. Kate Robinson, recognized as Woman-Owned Business of the Year. The event emphasized the importance of small businesses and their ability to foster economic growth in the region.
Syracuse, N.Y. – The Small Business Administration (SBA) for the Upstate New York District honored several small businesses and their owners during a ceremony held at the Gordon Student Center Great Room at Onondaga Community College on Monday. This awards presentation was part of the National Small Business Week, which is celebrated from May 4 to May 10, aiming to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the local economy.
Among the notable award winners, Shawni Davis, who owns Luminary Electrical Services in Syracuse, received the prestigious Small Business Person of the Year award due to her significant economic impact in Central New York. In addition, Dr. Kate Robinson, owner of Lyndon Pediatrics in Fayetteville, was recognized as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year.
Other honorees included Matthew Pierson, the owner of Simple Roast Coffee Company in Auburn, who was named Rural Owned Business of the Year, while the Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year recognition was awarded to Mark and Alex Williams, co-owners of Savurn Memorials based in Norwich. Syracuse Boat Tours, owned by Annette Peters, received the title of Onondaga County Small Business of the Year.
The awards ceremony was organized by the North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which also honored Norwich-based NBT Bank with the Lender Partner of the Year distinction. The SBDC holds this annual ceremony in conjunction with its presentations for Small Business of the Year across eight counties within the region, highlighting their contribution to local development.
The SBDC operates with support from Onondaga Community College and Jefferson Community College in Watertown, furthering the mission of nurturing small businesses in the area. Throughout the week, awards were also presented in various counties including Madison, Cortland, Auburn, Seneca Falls, Lewis, Chaumont, and Oswego.
In addition to the award presentations, notable developments for local businesses were also highlighted. The innovation hub known as The Tech Garden is undergoing a $32 million expansion, set to double its size. This project aims to create an inclusive environment for both tech and non-tech startups, especially those led by underrepresented populations. New features of the hub will include outdoor terraces, multiple office suites, and a spacious meeting venue capable of accommodating 200 people.
The Tech Garden currently hosts 56 tenants and is designed to offer mentorship for burgeoning businesses, guiding them towards the goal of sustainable growth and independent operation. An announcement regarding a new name for the hub will be made during the upcoming CenterState CEO annual meeting next Wednesday, reflecting its ongoing evolution and commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
National Small Business Week serves not only as a platform to celebrate the accomplishments of small business owners but also as an opportunity to raise awareness about the integral role small businesses play in the economy. Their ability to create jobs, innovate, and contribute to local communities underscores the importance of supporting these enterprises through recognition, resources, and opportunities for growth.
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- CNY Business Journal: SBA Honors Area Businesses
- CNY Central: Small Business Owners of the Year
- Finger Lakes 1: Nominations Open for Small Business Awards
- JPMorgan: Creating Business Opportunities at Salt City Market
- Syracuse.com: Syracuse’s Next Unicorn Biz
