SBA names R.I. 2017 small-business award winners

THE U.S. Small Business Administration on Wednesday announced Rhode Island's small-business award winners.
THE U.S. Small Business Administration on Wednesday announced Rhode Island's small-business award winners.

PROVIDENCE – Following last week’s announcement of Rhode Island’s Small Business Person of the Year, the U.S. Small Business Administration on Wednesday released the state’s other small-business award winners.

In addition to Gary Palardy, president and CEO of Blue Moon Industries, who took top honors as small business person of the year, the SBA announced 13 other small-business award winners. The awardees will be feted on May 4 at Alpine Country Club in Cranston.

“I would like to congratulate all of our award winners,” said Joan L. Moran, acting district director of the SBA’s Rhode Island district office.

Mark S. Hayward, district director, has been on leave advising the new national administrator, Linda McMahon, appointed by President Donald Trump.

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“There was an incredible response and numerous strong entries in all of the categories, but these businesses really stood out,” Moran added about the Rhode Island winners. “It is a testament to their hard work, and all the winners are great examples of the outstanding business we have in the state.”

Palardy will go on to compete for the National Small Business Person of the Year Award, which will be announced during National Small Business Week beginning April 30.

The other 2017 Rhode Island award winning businesses and business people include:

  • New England Microenterprise: ProjectEngin LLC of Barrington (Ann D. Kaiser, CEO) Regional winner
  • Small Business Exporter of the Year: Mearthane Products Corp. Inc. of Cranston (Kevin Redmond, CEO)
  • Entrepreneurial Success: Brassworks Fine Home Details of Providence (Jeffrey W. Nelson, president)
  • Microenterprise: ProjectEngin LLC of Barrington (Ann D. Kaiser, CEO) State winner
  • Women-owned Small Business: MIKEL Inc. of Middletown (Kelly Mendell, president)
  • Minority-owned Small Business: Armando & Sons Meat Market Group of Providence and Pawtucket (Armando Nieves, president)
  • Veteran-owned Small Business: Crave Food Services Corp. of North Kingstown (Matthew Tortora, CEO and co-founder)
  • Young Entrepreneur: Aaron Jay Horowitz, president and CEO of Providence-based Sproutel Inc.
  • Jeffrey Butland Family-owned Small Business: Design Fabricators Inc. of Cranston (Roberta A. Degraide, president)
  • Home-based Small Business: The Travis Family Farm of North Scituate (Lillian Medina Travis, Jaklyn Travis Randall, Rachyl Medina Travis)
  • Financial Services Champion: Laura Ann Stack, senior commercial lender at Freedom National Bank of Smithfield
  • Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence: Susan Lataille, owner of DiscoverYou Events in North Smithfield
  • Rhode Island District Director Award: Mark Cousineau, president of Connecticut-based Community Investment Corp.

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