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SBA Celebrates National Small Business Week

For nearly 60 years, the SBA has held National Small Business Week to honor outstanding entrepreneurs and shine a spotlight on the nation’s small businesses. In 2020, National Small Business Week has gone virtual and will take place the third week in September.

In recognition of National Small Business Week, SBA’s Indiana District has recognized its 2020 area winners. The local winners include:

• Indiana Small Business Person of the Year: Sherri Davis, Paragon Force in Bloomfield

• 8(a) Graduate of the Year: Michele Meyer, CSCI in Indianapolis

• Women’s Business Center of the Year: Central Indiana Women’s Business Center, Indianapolis

• Small Business Development Center of the Year: Central Indiana SBDC, Butler University

“Small businesses in Indiana are the backbone of our state’s economy and employee almost half of its workforce,” said SBA Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter. “They also bring in much needed revenue through federal contracting, as demonstrated by our Indiana Small Business Person and 8(a) Graduate award winners this year. Just last year, Indiana small businesses were awarded over $876 million in federal contracts. This has allowed companies like Paragon Force and CSCI Consulting to thrive; creating new jobs, building stronger communities and improving the quality of life of all who live in Indiana.”

This small business success extends outside state borders. According to Naval Station Warfare Center Crane (NSWC Crane) Commanding Officer CAPT Duncan McKay, small businesses play a huge role towards achieving the military’s strategic goals.

“Partnerships with small business help us in our mission to support our nation’s warfighters,” said CAPT Duncan McKay, NSWC Crane Commanding Officer. “Being a Women-Owned Small Business, makes it that much more exciting to see Ms. Davis and Paragon Force receive this tremendous honor, right here in our backyard. This well-deserved recognition from the U.S. Small Business Administration is a testament to the strength of the NSWC Crane Innovation Ecosystem and our outstanding partners.”

Along with recognizing the national award winners, including 2020’s National Small Business Person of the Year, this year’s National Small Business Week virtual event will feature business expert presentations, mentoring, and online networking designed to help the nation’s entrepreneurs retool, pivot and recover toward a stronger economy.

For free registration to the virtual conference and additional information on National Small Business Week, visit sba.gov/NSBW and follow #SmallBusiness Week via social media.