O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is celebrating its “Superbowl” for our small businesses this week with the SBA’s annual National Small Business Week ceremonies, which acknowledge and honor the indispensable contributions of America’s entrepreneurs—just as we’ve done every year for more than 60 years.
But this year is even more special, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, known as Freedom 250. Our Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for the freedom and liberty that still powers the engine of free enterprise. The result is our nation’s prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit – the very spirit exemplified by our small businesses here in New Hampshire.
From our farms and factory floors to the frontiers of technology, our local small business owners are working hard every day to drive innovation, strengthen local economies and provide the products and services that keep America competitive, secure and strong. Whether they’re one-person operations or companies with hundreds of employees, our small businesses in New Hampshire contribute to our local, regional and national economy, create good-paying jobs for our friends and families and enhance the vitality of our Main Streets and communities.
The businesses we recognize this year contribute greatly to their communities, but they also drive the national economy. Our small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all private-sector employers, and they create nearly two out of every three new jobs in America, fueling opportunity and driving local economies across every corner of the country.
I am especially proud of the achievements of this year’s Small Business Week Award Winners in New Hampshire. These business owners demonstrate the hard work, drive and determination of entrepreneurs across the state and around the nation. We are truly grateful to our local job creators, who give so much to their communities through their businesses and on their own time. Most importantly, they inspire others with their perseverance, self-reliance and spirit of entrepreneurship.
Here in New Hampshire, we are honoring these businesses during National Small Business Week:
- Small Business Person of the Year: Tom Hartley, Hartley Transportation (Pembroke)
- Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year: Nick Mercier, Macy Industries (Hooksett)
- Home-Based Business of the Year for New Hampshire and New England: Greg Wortman, Farm310 (Allenstown)
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year for New Hampshire and New England: Evan LaBelle, Autotiv Manufacturing (Salem)
- Rural Small Business of the Year for New England and New Hampshire Small Business Manufacturer of the Year: Adam Lane-Olsen, Peter Limmer & Sons (Intervale)
- Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Robert Markarian, Architectural Resource Center (Northwood)
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Heather Gray, Gray Consulting & Therapy (Hampstead)
- Small Business Exporter of the Year: Mike Tiner, Andover Corporation (Salem)
- Micro-Enterprise of the Year: Anne Altor and Ed LaPlante, One Earth Body Care (Campton)
As we stand at the threshold of a golden era for small business, I am pleased and honored to recognize these small business champions and their tremendous impact on our economy and our communities. I thank all of this year’s winners for their dedication, passion and perseverance.
Congratulations to the SBA’s New Hampshire Small Business Week Award Winners!
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Peter A. Steele is Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration Region 1 – New England