Information for Small Businesses from Secretary of State Linda McCulloch

Dear Business Owner:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) http://www.matr.net/click.php?id=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sba.gov%2Fmt%2F is seeking nominations for the 2010 Small Business Week Awards. Each year the SBA recognizes small business owners and advocate champions throughout the country for their ingenuity, determination, success and contributions toward building a more prosperous future for our country.

As Secretary of State http://sos.mt.gov/ , I encourage each of you to take the initiative to recognize and support a small business owner or small business champion by nominating them for one of the awards.

Any individual or organization such as professional and trade associations, business organizations, chambers of commerce, banks, and small business employees can make a nomination.

In addition to the long list of notable awards, individuals who own and operate a small business are eligible for nomination as Small Business Person of the Year. A state-specific award will also be given to recognize the Small Business Community of the Year.

National Small Business Week will be celebrated in early May 2010 in Washington, D.C. and a Montana state event will follow to celebrate the winners of these awards.

Nomination guidelines, as well as required forms and helpful tips, are available online at the SBA website. You may also call the district SBA office at (406) 441-1081.

The application deadline is November 13, 2009. Nominees are not required to have received SBA assistance, except for the Entrepreneurial Success Award

Best regards,

Linda McCulloch
Secretary of State http://sos.mt.gov/