The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized companies in Syracuse, Skaneateles, Clay, and Cazenovia with Small Business Excellence Awards.
The small businesses are Farmer Street Pantry of Syracuse; Finger Lakes Photography, Inc. of Skaneateles; Justin’s Canine Campus of Clay; and Caz Fitness in Cazenovia.
The SBA’s Upstate New York district office recognized the firms during National Small Business Week, which the agency observed between Sept. 20 and 26. Recipients are nominated by lenders and resource partners for SBA district office consideration.
The WISE Women’s Business Center nominated Farmer Street Pantry, which is owned by Lynne Della Pelle Pascale. Finger Lakes Photography, under the ownership of John McCarthy, was nominated by Five Star Bank, per the SBA.
The agency also noted that the Onondaga Small Business Development Center nominated Justin’s Canine Campus, which is owned by Justin Bonn and Carrie Lindley, while Caz Fitness, under the ownership of Meghan Kelly and Marla Velky-Reger, was nominated by Berkshire Bank.
Nominees undergo a “challenging” selection process that is based on the firm’s longevity, demonstrated innovation, sales growth, employment increases, along with ability to overcome adversity, and community contributions, according to Paprocki.