Nominate your local small business hero

To the Editor:

We often hear that “small businesses are the backbone of the economy,” but what does that really mean? In Pennsylvania, it means 1.2 million small businesses are driving growth and employing over 2.5 million of our friends and neighbors.

Entrepreneurs like Nancy Martindell, president, JMA Resources, Inc., in Mechanicsburg and the 2025 Eastern Pennsylvania 2025 Small Business Person of the Year –are fueling local economies, sparking innovation, and strengthening communities.

As the SBA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator, serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, I’ve seen firsthand the powerful role small businesses play, from bustling urban cities to the charming main streets of our rural towns. Their impact is unmistakable.

Do you know a small business that is making an impactful difference in your community? Or perhaps you are that small business! Now is the time to recognize and celebrate these leaders by submitting a nomination for the prestigious 2026 National Small Business Week Awards.

To nominate a business–or self-nominate–visit sba.gov/nsbw for submission forms, criteria, and guidelines. Nominations must be submitted electronically by 7 a.m. ET on Dec. 8. Winners will be honored during National Small Business Week in May 2026. Let’s showcase the innovation, dedication, and leadership that make Pennsylvania’s small businesses thrive.

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James “Jim” Spencer was appointed as the SBA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator on March 17. In his role, he is responsible for field staff of loan, business, and community outreach specialists overseeing the delivery and management of the federal agency’s small business programs, financial assistance, and business development initiatives. The Mid-Atlantic Region serves Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.