SBA Honors Small Business Leaders in Upstate New York

News Summary

During a recent ceremony at Onondaga Community College, the Small Business Administration recognized several outstanding small businesses and their owners for their contributions. Shawni Davis of Luminary Electrical was named Small Business Person of the Year, while other awards highlighted excellence in woman-owned, rural, and veteran-owned businesses. The event coincides with National Small Business Week, emphasizing the importance of local enterprises in economic growth.

Syracuse, New York – The Small Business Administration (SBA) for the Upstate New York District honored several small businesses and business owners as part of the annual Small Business Owners of the Year awards during a ceremony on Monday at the Gordon Student Center Great Room on the campus of Onondaga Community College. This event aligns with National Small Business Week, which runs from May 4 to May 10.

Among the distinguished recipients was Shawni Davis, the owner of Luminary Electrical based in Syracuse, who was named the SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year. Other notable awards included Dr. Kate Robinson, who runs Lyndon Pediatrics in Fayetteville, recognized as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year. Matthew Pierson, the owner of Simple Roast Coffee Company in Auburn, received the award for Rural Owned Business of the Year. Additionally, the Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year award went to Mark and Alex Williams, co-owners of Savurn Memorials in Norwich.

In further recognition, Annette Peters, owner of Syracuse Boat Tours, was named the Onondaga County Small Business of the Year, while NBT Bank, located in Norwich, was recognized by the North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as its Lender Partner of the Year. The SBDC is hosted by both Onondaga Community College and Jefferson Community College in Watertown.

This week marks the beginning of several award presentations in different counties, including Madison, Cortland, Auburn, Seneca Falls, Lewis, Jefferson, and Oswego. Each county will celebrate its own Small Business of the Year award during this time.

In an update on regional developments, the North Central SBDC announced a rebranding initiative to better reflect the broader area it serves since December. The organization is also involved in notable infrastructure improvements, with a $32 million expansion project for the business accelerator, previously known as The Tech Garden. This expansion is set to double the accelerator’s size to 46,000 square feet and will introduce new office suites, meeting spaces, and coworking areas tailored for startups. The facility is slated to reopen in the summer of 2025.

The hub, which is operated by CenterState CEO, plans to unveil a new name during its annual meeting. This expansion marks a significant shift in focus, as the hub seeks to support not just technology startups but also non-tech ventures and underrepresented founders within the community.

The presentation of these awards and the ongoing improvements and initiatives highlight the vital role small businesses play in the economic fabric of Upstate New York. They are celebrated not only for their individual successes but also for their contributions to job creation and local economies, making National Small Business Week a fitting time to acknowledge their efforts and achievements.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• CNY Central – Upstate NY Small Business Owners of the Year
• Wikipedia: Small Business
• CNYBJ – SBA SBDC Honors Area Small Businesses
• Google Search: Small Business Administration
• Finger Lakes 1 – Nominations Open for National Small Business Week Awards
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business
• LocalSYR – Tariffs Impact CNY Small Business Owner
• Google News: Small Business Week