New Orleans – The U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana District Office announced the 2018 Small Business Week awardees, which recognizes their innovation, excellence and advocacy.
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has declared National Small Business Week to formally recognize the important role and contributions of America’s small businesses. National and local events recognize top entrepreneurs for their achievements to include those individuals and organizations who champion small business. Special recognition is also given to SBA resource partners and community organizations for their outstanding efforts in business and entrepreneurial development.
This year’s National Small Business Week is scheduled for April 29 – May 5.
“National Small Business Week is a great opportunity to honor small business owners and employees whose spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation and determination help our economy prosper,” said Michael Ricks, SBA Louisiana District Director. The energy and passion of small business owners elevate Louisiana’s quality of life and provide meaningful jobs, employing over 910,000 people representing 53 percent of Louisiana’s private sector workforce.
“The Louisiana District Office is excited to announce this year’s District Small Business Winners and look forward to honoring them during our special event, in collaboration with the Louisiana Economic Development, during National Small Business Week on May 2, 2018.”
The Louisiana District Office Small Business Winners are:
Small Business Person of the Year
Keith Porta, Managing Member
APC Construction, LLC, Harvey, LA
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award (Regional and District)
Heidi Melancon- Director
LSBDC at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette LA
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Matthew Kincaid, Founder
Overcoming Racism, New Orleans LA
Minority Business Champion
Mayra Pineda, President
Hispanic Chamber of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Women’s Business Champion
Andrea Chen, President
Propeller Incubator, New Orleans, LA
Louisiana Small Business Advocate of the Year
Cindy Carrier, Senior Counselor
Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center – Southeast
The SBA’s Louisiana district covers 64 parishes in the state. There are 436,000 small businesses in Louisiana.
For more information about National Small Business Week, please visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.
About the Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
