The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced its 2017 Maine Small Business Award winners recognizing outstanding small business owners throughout the state. Leigh Kellis, founder of The Holy Donut in Portland has been selected as SBA’s Maine Small Business Person of the Year.   

The Holy Donut is a donut shop specializing in potato-based donuts, with two locations in Portland and one in Scarborough. The business also sells its donuts wholesale to Whole Foods and Coffee by Design. Ms. Kellis was selected for this award based on the continued growth of her business and the contributions she has made to the local community.

“Small Business Week provides SBA with the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of a number of deserving small business owners,” said SBA’s Maine District Director, Amy K. Bassett. “The story of Leigh Kellis and The Holy Donut perfectly illustrates the entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity necessary to start and grow a thriving business in Maine.”

Ms. Kellis will compete with the nation’s top small businesses for the honor of National Small Business Person of the Year during the SBA’s National Small Business Week celebration, April 30-May 1. The Winner will be selected from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. The announcement will be made during an event in Washington, D.C. on May 1st.

On Monday, May 15th, the Maine District Office of the Small Business Administration will recognize Ms. Kellis and the other 2017 Maine Small Business Award recipients at a 4:00 p.m. reception and awards presentation at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. For additional information about the reception please call 207-622-8551 or e-mail keith.lind@sba.gov.

Other award winners to be recognized include:

Maine and New England Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year
Joshua Broder
Tilson Technology Management, LLC of Portland

Maine Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business of the Year
Alison and Scott Snell
Wilson’s on Moosehead Lake of Big Moose Township

 Maine Small Business Exporter of the Year
James Banfield
Terra Speakers of Brunswick

Maine Woman Owned Small Business of the Year
Pamela Laskey
Maine Foodie Tours of Portland

Maine Young Entrepreneurs of the Year
Devin McNeill and Charles Friedman
Flowfold of Scarborough

Maine Home Based Business of the Year
Justin and Alisa Carney
Afterlife Affections, LLC of Washburn

Maine Minority Owned Small Business of the Year
Naima Abdirhmon
ARWO Learning Center, LLC of Portland

Maine Micro-Enterprise of the Year
Kate Beever
Maine Music & Health, LLC of Saco

Maine Financial Services Champion of the Year
Ann Marie Swenson
People’s United Bank