Seattle – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, SBA Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator Mike Fong, Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson, Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED), and community partners are celebrating National Small Business Week.
The theme for this year’s National Small Business Week is “Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship.” During this week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will spotlight the resilience of America’s entrepreneurs, who are doing their part to power our nation’s historic economic comeback and honor the nation’s 32.5 million small businesses for their perseverance, ingenuity, triumphs, and creativity. Annually, SBA recognizes more than 60 small business owners from 50 state and U.S. territories. This year’s Washington Small Business Person of the Year is Efrem Fesaha—owner of Boon Boona Coffee, who will be recognized today during the regional celebration at his new Seattle location.
For nearly 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners, with local elected officials doing the same. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson—who is also a small business owner—will issue a joint proclamation recognizing National Small Business Week in the City of Seattle, honoring the more than 100,000 small businesses that contribute to the local economy. WHEN: Today, Thursday, May 5, 2022 Event begins at 2 pm. Media encouraged to arrive at 1:45 pm. WHERE: Please RSVP to Paulina Oceguera – Paulina.Oceguera@seattle.gov - for location details. WHO: Mayor Bruce Harrell, SBA Regional Administrator Mike Fong, Seattle Councilmember Sara Nelson, Markham McIntyre (OED), Efrem Fesaha (Boon Boona Owner—SBA Award Recipient) “Our city’s small businesses set a tremendous example through their resilience, innovation, and commitment to creating One Seattle defined by inclusion and service to each other,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “This National Small Business Week, we’re excited to celebrate Efrem Fesaha and Boon Boona Coffee as we reaffirm our city’s commitment to uplifting and working alongside small businesses. Supporting small businesses is critical for a robust and equitable recovery and necessary to drive economic empowerment and create a vibrant, diverse city. I encourage everyone to support Seattle’s small businesses this week and every week!” “King County supports and joins National Small Business Week to honor small businesses for what they do best – foster innovation, create jobs, and ensure that our communities remain unique and vibrant places to live and work. Thanks to the resilience of small businesses, our region’s economy and communities are beginning to bounce back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Congratulations to Efrem Fesaha for being named Washington Small Business Person of the Year. We are proud that Boon Boona Coffee calls King County home both in Renton and Seattle.” "Seattle's economic comeback depends on our small businesses. As the first small business owner on the Council since 2009, I know how challenging the past few years have been for our community,” said Councilmember Sara Nelson. “However, our local entrepreneurs' resilience, perseverance, and ingenuity inspires me every day. In honor of Small Business Week, I am reaffirming my commitment to supporting our city's small businesses, ensuring they have a seat at the table, and addressing the issues they face with urgency and compassion." “While there is more work to do, under the Biden-Harris Administration, we are on a path toward building a better, more competitive American economy centered around families, workers, and small businesses. This year’s NSBW will offer entrepreneurs in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America a week-long event that will highlight the tools and information they need to continue to power our economic growth, strengthen our supply chains, and deliver the products and services Americans depend on every day,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “I look forward to recognizing our small business giants and their tremendous impact on our economy and communities across the nation.” “Congratulations to Boon Boona Coffee for being recognized as our SBA Small Business Person of the Year for Washington State and the entire Pacific Northwest region," said Mike Fong, SBA Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator. "I want to thank Mayor Harrell and the City Council for their support of all our small businesses and entrepreneurs. Their resiliency and tenacity are truly powering our historic economic comeback from the pandemic.” “I am grateful and humbled by the award; we have been propelled here by the support of our community," said Efrem Fesaha, Boon Boona Owner and Washington Small Business Person of the Year Awardee. "We are small and continuously striving to be better/do better - from sourcing coffee in Africa to providing a welcoming Cafe experience. The journey has not been easy, but we are fortunate to still be on it, thanks to many!” “Our small businesses contribute so much to our local and regional economy, and their success will help drive the success of our broader economy as we move toward long term recovery," said Markham McIntyre, Interim Director at the Office of Economic Development. "The Office of Economic Development is excited for the opportunities that are ahead as we focus on wealth building opportunities for businesses, individuals, and communities here in Seattle and our broader region. Today we celebrate Efrem and Boon Boona, and the thousands of small businesses in our region that provide the goods and services we love, jobs for our residents, and gathering spaces for community.”
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