The center is recognized for its vital role in driving Colorado's economic growth and fostering the spirit, support and success of the state's entrepreneurs and innovators.
news release
Governor Jared Polis
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AURORA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized the Aurora South Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as this year’s recipient of the SBDC Excellence and Innovation Center Award. The center is recognized for its vital role in driving Colorado's economic growth and fostering the spirit, support and success of the state's entrepreneurs and innovators.
“Colorado’s successful small businesses are the backbone of our economy and communities, and we are pleased to be recognized for the Aurora South Metro SBDC’s hard work. Save money. This award highlights the great work happening in Colorado and lets entrepreneurs know they have the support they need to grow and thrive,” said Governor Jared Polis.
The Colorado SBDC Network helps the state's entrepreneurs and small businesses launch, grow, and exit their businesses. In 2023, Aurora South Metro SBDC and 13 other centers across the state worked together to serve more than 8,000 customers and train more than 18,500 employees. Through their efforts, small businesses created and retained 3,122 jobs (up from 2,705 in 2022), started 335 businesses (up from 235 in 2022), and generated $78 million in revenue. and capital formation increased by more than $97 million.
The Aurora South Metro SBDC is hosted by the City of Aurora and serves Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. The center is known for piloting new programs in the Colorado SBDC network and serving a diverse community of entrepreneurs with specialized programs. The SBDC team consists of his seven full-time employees and several independent contractors.
“Aurora South Metro SBDC is a great example of the impact our SBDC network has on small businesses across the state. We congratulate Colorado on this prestigious honor, and our network is committed to providing outstanding support and service to Colorado’s entrepreneurs.” We look forward to continuing to serve our customers,” said Hannah W. Krieger, Colorado SBDC Network State Director.
“The small business journey is not always easy, but it is an important one. Entrepreneurs meet the needs of their communities and create jobs for Coloradans,” said Marcia McGilly, executive director of Aurora South Metro SBDC. said. “I am so proud of our dedicated team who work hard to help small businesses in Aurora, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties achieve their goals. Our center has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration It's an honor.”
The SBA Colorado Small Business Awards Ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. May 2 at the PHI Hub at Saltbox in Denver to recognize regional and national winners. The 2024 award winners are as follows.
National winner:
- Colorado Region 8 and National Winner – Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award Winner: Aurora South Metro Colorado SBDC (Aurora, Colorado)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Award of Excellence National Recipient – Service: Jacobs, Greenwood Village, Colorado
Regional winners:
- Amy McDowell Small Business Achievement Award: TBA
- District Director Diamond Award: Front Range Community College – Larimer SBDC and Poudre River Public Library District, represented by Larimer SBDC Director Hope Hartman and Harmony Library Manager Molly Thompson of Fort Collins, Colorado
- 7a Major Financial Institution: Huntington National Bank
- 7a Small lender: Midwest Regional Bank
- 504 Major lender: B:Side Capital, statewide (Denver headquarters)
- 504 Small Lenders: Statewide Preferred Lending Partner (Denver Headquarters)
- Colorado Rural Lender of the Year: First Southwest Bank Serving Southwest Colorado
- CO Community Lender of the Year: Colorado Enterprise Fund (Denver Headquarters)
- 2024 Colorado Wall of Fame inductees: TBA
For more information about the award, visit SBA.gov/NSBW. For more information about the Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center, visit Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com.
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