By: SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Jim Spencer
We often hear that “small businesses are the backbone of the economy,” but what does that really mean? In West Virginia, it means more than 118,000 small businesses are driving growth and employing over 256,000 of our friends and neighbors.
Entrepreneurs like Cathy Jo Higgins—founder and owner of Development Advantage, LLC in Charleston and the 2025 West Virginia 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 December 8, 2025. Winners will be honored during National Small Business Week in May 2026. Let’s showcase the innovation, dedication, and leadership that make West Virginia’s small businesses thrive.
