The Kentucky Small Business Development Center and the Kentucky District Office of the Small Business Administration will host the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event at the Central Bank Center on May 13 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, recognizing high-performing small business owners across Kentucky.
The event aims to highlight the important role that small businesses play in local communities and economies throughout the Commonwealth. Honoring entrepreneurs is seen as a way to encourage job creation, economic growth, and innovation.
“Kentucky’s entrepreneurs continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, innovation and leadership. Small businesses are the foundation of communities across the Commonwealth, and we are proud to celebrate the outstanding business owners who continue to create jobs, strengthen local economies and inspire future entrepreneurs,” said Kristina Joyce, Kentucky SBDC state director.
“It is an honor to recognize these exceptional small business leaders and advocates from across Kentucky,” said Robert Coffey, SBA Kentucky district director. “Their commitment to innovation, service and growth exemplifies the impact small businesses have on our communities and economy.”
Award winners include John Harnage of Kentucky Thermal Institute as Small Business of the Year; James Turner Altman of Altman Eye Center as Rural Small Business of the Year; Amber Damos of Life Force Wellness Center as Veteran Small Business of the Year; Cynthia Lee-Stewart of Cyn Lee Sales as Advocate of the Year; Robert Lewis Watson Jr. from Community Trust Bank Inc. for Financial Services Advocacy; Shonda Durham for Women-Owned Small Business (Head Spa of London); Martina Barksdale with VisitLEX for Media Award; along with Pacesetter Award recipients such as American Bluegrass Marble in Louisville and Danville Bike and Footwear in Danville.
The Kentucky SBDC has supported small businesses statewide for over 45 years by providing free coaching services including one-on-one consultations, training workshops, market research access, loan packaging assistance, financial projections support, and other resources needed for informed decision-making.
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment administers Kentucky SBDC programs through its land-grant system at University of Kentucky according to its official website. The college serves more than 2,600 students each year while receiving over $48.7 million in external research funding annually according to its official website. It operates facilities like Agriculture Science Center North in Lexington with ongoing improvements aimed at enhancing teaching labs according to its official website.
Programs offered by Martin-Gatton CAFE reach approximately 4.8 million contacts annually while advancing social impacts both within Kentucky and globally through graduates’ work according to its official website. The college’s outreach focuses on education, research initiatives aimed at sustainability efforts locally and worldwide according to its official website.
