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According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), more
than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create
about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Community
Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are doing their part to support job
creation, entrepreneurship, and small business financing in distressed and
underserved communities nationwide. Collectively,
66 percent of the nationwide network of more than 1,000 CDFIs originate small
business loans. Since 2009, they have
closed 75,000 loans and provided financing to 70,000 small businesses.
Now, we urge CDFIs to help recognize those successful small
businesses they have financed by nominating them for an SBA National Small
Business Week Award. The awards are given out as part of National Small
Business Week, April 30 - May 6, 2017.
In particular, we urge those CDFIs that administer SBA
programs to consider nominating a small business that they have worked with to
help secure SBA funding. Only small
businesses that have received SBA assistance are eligible to be nominated.
For an award application or information about National Small
Business Week, visit SBA’s National Small Business Week website, here. The deadline to submit an
awards nomination is January 10, 2017.
About National
Small Business Week Awards
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States
has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which
recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small
business owners. In 2017, National Small Business Week will take place April 30
- May 6.
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small
Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of
outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states
and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses,
create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global
competitiveness. The SBA’s National Small Business Week awards honor
individuals and businesses that reflect our nation’s rich diversity.
To be eligible to receive an award, nominees
must have received one type of SBA assistance such as, but
not limited to, an SBA loan, SCORE counseling, Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) assistance, Women’s Business Center (WBC) assistance, government
contracting assistance, disaster assistance, Emerging Leaders Initiative, or
Boots to Business training.
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