By Calvin W. Goings, Assistant Associate Administrator, SBA Region 10
America’s small businesses are the economic engines of our communities. They create two-thirds of net new jobs in the U.S. And, over half of all working Americans either own or work for a small business.
To recognize the enormous contributions of these businesses, each year the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosts National Small Business Week. It is an opportunity to pause and pay tribute to the men and women who are starting and growing companies that are transforming their industries.
As part of this recognition, the SBA announces a Small Business Person of the Year from each state, small business champions, successful government contracting firms and disaster assistance heroes.
The 2012 Small Business Week award winners here in region 10 come from a wide range of industries – everything from a technology company that provides cloud-based marketing solutions for healthcare companies to a motor sports manufacturing company that exports motorcycle clutches worldwide. No matter what industry they come from, or what business model they pursue, these companies, and many like them, are making important contributions to our local communities and the economy.
To make sure that more people learn about these and other successful small businesses, SBA recently launched a new video contest. To find out how to enter, small businesses can go to http://smallbizvid.challenge.gov and showcase their successful, SBA-assisted business by submitting a short video. Some of the winning videos will be broadcast during National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. from May 20 through May 26.
As we rebuild our economy, it is critical that small businesses are front and center. At the SBA, we are committed to making sure that all small businesses have the tools, resources and relationships they need to grow and hire more workers.
2011 was a record year for the SBA. We supported more than $30 billion in lending to more than 60,000 small businesses. We urge you to visit your local SBA office in Seattle to learn more about the services we provide.
Please join us for Small Business Week 2012 to honor and empower our small businesses nationwide. Registration is now open at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com where you can learn about the awards ceremonies, small business forums, educational and matchmaking sessions, and the live webcast.
