PORTLAND, Ore. – Every spring, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes small businesses across the country during Small Business Week. This year the Portland District Office will honor Oregon's award winners at a luncheon on May 22 at the Portland Art Museum. Regional Administrator Calvin Goings, responsible for overseeing all SBA programs and initiatives in the four state region of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington will be speaking and participating in the award presentation.
Small Business awards to be presented include: Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, Family-Owned Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Community Impact Award, Rising Star Award, and Small Business Spirit Award.
Small Business Champions, individuals or organizations that promote, assist and aid small business will receive awards honoring their impact on small business. During 2013, the SBA’s resource partners located in the Portland District counseled and trained small businesses for more than 35,000 hours. The network of resource partners in Oregon and SW Washington includes 21 Small Business Development Centers, five SCORE Chapters, a Women’s Business Center and a Veterans Business Outreach Center.
The luncheon also recognizes leading SBA Lenders who provide the capital small businesses need to grow and succeed. In fiscal year 2013, these lenders delivered $457 million in supported loans, eclipsing the previous record year of $429 million in supported loans. The lender awardees are representative of the more than 60 qualified lenders in Oregon, who provided 830 SBA loans in fiscal year 2013.
Tickets are on sale now at www.sbw2014.eventbrite.com.