SBA to fete local Small Business Week honorees at April 17 event

Beacon Commercial Door and Lock, a South Salt Lake-based maker of commercial doors, frames, hardware and access control products, has been named Utah’s Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA). 

The third-generation family-owned company will now compete for national Small Business of the Year recognition that will be announced in Washington, D.C., by the SBA during National Small Business Week, May 3-9.

Chad Riches, Beacon’s owner and president, will accept the Utah award at the SBA Utah District Office’s Celebration Awards Luncheon on April 17 at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper. The public is invited to attend and lunch will be provided.

Each year during National Small Business Week, the SBA recognizes exceptional small businesses across all 50 states as well as U.S. districts and
territories.

Other Utah businesses to be recognized at the April 17 event are Cedar Bear Naturales Inc. of Ballard as the Utah Rural Small Business of the Year and Western Timber Frame Inc. of Lehi as the Utah Manufacturing Small Business of the Year.

During Small Business Week, the SBA also honors the state’s top SBA lender institutions. This year’s winners are Zions Bank as the top 7(a) lender by number of loans and the top 7(a) rural lender. Bank of Utah is the top export lender and Mountain America Credit Union is the top 7(a) lender by dollar volume and the Top 504 third-party lender. Mountain West Small Business Finance will receive the Top 504 Lender award.

Thomas Kimsey, the SBA’s associate administrator for the Office of Capital Access, will keynote the awards event. Justin Everett, the SBA regional administrator for Region 8, also will
participate.

“I’m extremely proud of our small-business award winners and their incredible dedication, resilience and hard work,” said Marla Trollan, SBA Utah District director. “These business owners have achieved successful goals through their persistence, discipline and focus.”

“During National Small Business Week, SBA is honored to recognize the job creators, builders and innovators who fuel our nation’s economy and anchor communities across America,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “This year, as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are highlighting the historic America First agenda that is driving growth, opportunity and strength for the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Since 1963, the president of the United States has declared National Small Business Week to recognize small businesses as the job creators, builders and innovators of America’s economy.

Details on National Small Business Week and the award winners are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed.