Man-Li Lin the Economic Development Specialist Metro New York District Office taking Q & A's

Celebrating Small Business Week - Networking Celebration & Awards Lunch

The Greater New York Chamber is proud to celebrate Small Business Week to recognize the vital role small businesses play in the economy and in local communities. It’s a national event—led by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)—that honors entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-ups for their innovation, resilience, and contributions to job creation.

This year's 2026 Small Business Champions awardees:

Rudy Cazarew; Cazar Logistics with the Veteran of the Year Award

Steven Nunez, Borough of Manhattan Community College with the Educational & Workforce Development Award

Gadi Peleg, breads Bakery with Employer of the Year Award

Mariah Joseph, Bookkeeper and Consultant with the Dr. Roy Hastick Award

Kwangmin Park, Korean American Business Council of NY with the Non-Profit Leader of the Year Award

During the ceremony, Man-Li Lin the Economic Development Specialist Metro New York District Office presented "How the SBA Can Help Your Business" PowerPoint presentation on all the SBA programs, loans, grants and assistance can help your business grow.

Key reasons for the celebration:

Economic impact: Small businesses make up over 99% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly half of the private workforce.

Innovation and diversity: They drive creativity and innovation across industries, often pioneering new ideas and business models.

Community support: Small businesses strengthen neighborhoods, provide essential services, and reinvest in local economies.

Recognition and encouragement: The week highlights success stories, connects owners with resources, and encourages others to pursue entrepreneurship.

Essentially, it’s a way for the nation to say thank you to the people who keep the economy vibrant and communities thriving.

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