Media Contact:
Dianne Fazio
(850) 898-3486
dfazio@uwf.edu
News Release
May 4, 2026
For Immediate Release |
Florida SBDC Network
Celebrates National Small Business Week |
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Florida SBDC Network State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, is pleased to announce that ten small business clients and nominees have won awards for their outstanding performance, advocacy, and economic contributions from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of National Small Business Week.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this year’s winners and the vital role Florida’s small businesses play in strengthening our communities and economy,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “These awards reflect the innovation, resilience, and impact of Florida’s small businesses, and we’re proud to walk alongside them and support their growth and success. We’re also thrilled to congratulate Eunice Choi and the UCF team on being named the National SBDC of the Year - a powerful testament to her outstanding leadership and the exceptional work of her entire team.”
Clients and partners of the Florida SBDC Network recognized as national, state, and district-level award winners are:
National Small Business Development Center of the Year
Florida SBDC at UCF
North Florida:
State of Florida & North Florida District Small Business Person of the Year
Sunshine Rail Service LLC
Douglas Fournier and Joseph Fournier
Client of the Florida SBDC at UNF
State of Florida & North Florida District Rural Small Business of the Year
Gator Bait Sports Bar and Grill
Client of the Florida SBDC at UNF
State of Florida & North Florida District Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Code Ninjas
Client of the Florida SBDC at UNF
State of Florida & North Florida District Blue Collar Small Business of the Year
Hotspray Industrial Coatings, Inc.
Client of the Florida SBDC at UCF
State of Florida & North Florida District Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
Artistic Talent Group
Client of the Florida SBDC at UCF
North Florida District Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
EZ Automation Systems
Client of the Florida SBDC at UNF
South Florida:
State of Florida & South Florida District Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
Spectrum Custom Molds & Manufacturing Inc.
Client of the Florida SBDC at USF
South Florida District Blue Collar Small Business of the Year
American Construction Services Inc. of Tampa
Client of the Florida SBDC at USF
South Florida District Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year
Treasure Coast Fleet Repair, Inc., Michael Donte Johnson
Client of the Florida SBDC at IRSC
National Small Business Week runs May 3 - May 9, 2026. 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 the country’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. To learn more about National Small Business Week, please visit www.sba.gov/nsbw. |
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About the Florida SBDC Network:
For 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. In 2025, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 112,158 hours of consulting to 15,439 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $534.7 million in capital, $711.5 million in government contracts, impacting 18,334 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.4 billion, and creating 1,111 new businesses.
With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of War, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org. |
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