The U.S. Small Business Administration Alaska District issued a release naming the winners of its annual awards program as part of National Small Business Week, which takes place from September 20 – 26. The director of the Kenai Peninsula Small Business Development Center was among the five Alaskans to be recognized with an award.
Typically held during the first week of May every year since 1963, National Small Business Week award announcements and celebrations were postponed this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
SBA Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator Jeremy Field: “National Small Business Week is a time to recognize the impact entrepreneurs and small businesses have on our economy and in our local communities. Like many things in 2020, the journeys of this year’s award winners took a turn most didn’t anticipate. However, themes of ingenuity and tenacity remain the same as small business owners continue to inspire us in new and meaningful ways.”
The Pacific Northwest Region SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award went to Cliff Cochran, Director of the Kenai Peninsula’s Center in Soldotna. The SBA’s release states: “Last year, wildfires closed highways and forced many local businesses to temporarily shut their doors. Soldotna SBDC Director Cliff Cochran was instrumental in economic recovery for small businesses on the peninsula.”
Cochran has been involved with small business leadership in the Central Kenai Peninsula for over ten years.
