The Small Business Administration has named the Charleston Area Small Business Development Center the 2016 National SBDC Center of Excellence and Innovation, as announced by SBA administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. The award will be presented during ceremonies to be held May 1-2 in honor of National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C.
The Charleston SBDC won the award after being named the South Carolina state winner and the winner for SBA Region IV, which includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
“We are proud to be a vital resource for local small businesses, and we’re humbled to have been recognized on a national level for the success we’ve helped our clients achieve,” said Tom Lauria, who was the area manager from 2007 through 2015. “It’s a testament to the efforts of our team and the passion they show for the work they do that has allowed the center to earn this award.” (more…)