The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Delaware office honored the 2013 Small Business Award winners at a dinner on Tuesday night at the Deerfield Golf Club near Newark.
Businesses and individuals receiving SBA’s 2013 Delaware Small Business Awards event were:
– Small Business Person of the Year: Coleman E. Bye, III, president/owner, The Mercantile Press, Inc., Wilmington, Del. Founded in 1884, this family-owned business is the oldest printing company in Delaware.
In his acceptance speech, Bye talked about a decision to refocus the business on more promising markets after sharp declines in legacy business brought on by an economic downturn, the Worldwide Web and social media.
Bye praised SCORE counselors and his lender in helping the business resume its growth. He noted that the company is now looking at its expanding its plant in Wilmington.
– Small Business Exporters of the Year: Michael Linett, President; July Linett, vice president, operations, Zerowait Corp., Wilmington.
Zerowait Corporation provides storage systems and technical support to customers worldwide. Founded in 1991, the Delaware business exports to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Europe.
– Family-Owned Business of the Year: Catherine Hopkins Grieco, President, Hopkins and Sons, Inc., New Castle, Del. Founded in 1946, Hopkins and Sons, Inc., is a 4th generation moving company.
– Small Business Champions of the Year: Clinton Tymes, state director; Barbara Necarsulmer, associate state director, Delaware Small Business and Technology Development Center (“SBTDC”), Newark, Del. Lending honors included:
– Top Delaware SBA 7(a) Program Lender by Number of Loans: M & T Bank
– First Runner Up, Delaware SBA 7(a) Program Lender by Number of Loans: Citizens Bank
– Top Delaware SBA 7(a) Program Lender by Dollar Amount: Applied Bank First Runner Up, Delaware SBA 7(a) Program Lender by Dollar Amount: Cecil Bank
– Top Delaware SBA 504 Program Lender: Delaware Community Development Corporation
– Top Delaware SBA 504 Program Third Party Lender, by Dollar Amount: Susquehanna Bank
– Top Delaware SBA 504 Program Third Party Lender, by Number of Loans: WSFS and Mid Coast Bank (tie)
