New York SBDC honoring regional small businesses, presentations continue

ALBANY — Businesses in Lowville and Utica have been recognized as winners of awards from the New York Small Business Development Center (NY SBDC). Businesses in Binghamton and Oneonta were also scheduled to be honored on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 respectively. They’re among 10 award recipients that NY SBDC started recognizing as part of its client awards roadshow that began July 29, per its July 8 announcement. The NY SBDC’s 2024 Client Awards Roadshow is described as a “[statewide] celebration and acknowledgment of outstanding small businesses throughout New York.” Each recipient is a client of a regional SBDC, including Onondaga, Mohawk Valley, Binghamton, and Canton. The 10 award recipients also include those that operate in Jamestown, New York City (two), Staten Island, and Stony Brook on Long Island. This year’s 10 award winners were selected in several categories and selected from more than 23,000 small-business clients across New York State, NY SBDC said. “We are excited to continue this tradition of honoring the remarkable achievements of our small business clients,” Sonya Smith, state director of the New York SBDC, said in the announcement. “The Annual Client Awards Roadshow allows us to spotlight the diverse and innovative entrepreneurs contributing significantly to New York’s economic landscape. It’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of our small business community, as well as the dedicated support provided by our SBDC advisors.”

Regional recipients, presentation dates

Below is a listing of the award recipient and category under the date of the award presentation. July 29 NY SBDC recognized Hand in Hand, an early childhood center, in Lowville as the Rural Business of the Year. Jennifer Bleakley is the executive director and, it is an Onondaga SBDC client. July 30 Shepherd Group LLC d/b/a BGM Supply is a company specializing is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing supplies. NY SBDC selected it for the Procurement Business of the Year. Mary Shepherd is the owner, and it is a Mohawk Valley SBDC client. Aug. 14 Stop, Pop & Roll Boba is described as a “Pop up vendor rolling through the FLX area bringing custom popping fruit Boba Tea deliciousness!” per its Facebook page. NY SBDC was scheduled to recognize operator Greyson Wells as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Wells is a client of the Binghamton SBDC. Aug. 15 NY SBDC was scheduled to recognize Yaks Youth Center, LLC in Oneonta as the Community Impact Business of the Year. Heather Boxill-Yakalis is the owner and a client of the Binghamton SBDC. Sept. 5 AM Equipment NY of Hogansburg is the Growth Business of the Year. Andris White is the owner and a client of the Canton SBDC in St. Lawrence County.