WASHINGTON – This week, the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced its slate of Small Business Award winners for 2023. Honorees were chosen from each part of the District Office’s service territory, including the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Suburban Maryland (Montgomery County and Prince George’s County). WMADO Winners will be privately recognized during the SBA’s annual National Small Business Week activities, held from April 30 – May 6, 2023.“I am excited not only to celebrate some our region’s most outstanding small businesses, but also give well-deserved recognition to those who support their success,” said District Director Larry G. Webb. “While the resilience these companies have shown over the past few years is certainly a testament to their company’s leadership, it’s also indicative of the key role the federal government can play in helping to sustain small businesses everywhere.”
Awardees from the Washington Metropolitan Area include:

• Lonye Ford and Arlene Wube of Arlo Solutions: Small Business Person(s) of the Year – District of Columbia
• Melissa Peterson of Blue Sky Innovative Solutions: Small Business Person of the Year – Suburban Maryland 
• Sharon Hamer of Akiak Technology: Small Business Person of the Year – Northern Virginia (aslo named Statewide Virginia Winner)

“Our 2023 State Small Business Persons of the Year have given their all to achieve their American dream — to own and build a strong, resilient business; create jobs; increase competition and innovation and power America’s historic economic recovery,” said Administrator Guzman. “These incredible entrepreneurs show the vibrancy and grit of our nation’s small businesses. From Main Street to manufacturing hubs and tech centers, they are powering our economy. We hope their stories inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

 

Each year, the SBA celebrates National Small Business Week by recognizing the achievements of outstanding small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. All NSBW State winners will be recognized during the National Small Business Week awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 30 and May 1.

 

To learn more about National Small Business Week, visit sba.gov/nsbw.

 

 

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