|
RCBJ-Audible (Listen For Free)
 |
National Small Business Week Contest Offers $10,000 First Prize; $5,000 Second Place Prizes
By Mike Oates
Every morning across the Hudson Valley, a bakery owner fires up the ovens before dawn. A florist arranges the first delivery of the week. A home repair contractor loads up the truck and heads out to a neighbor’s house. These are not just scenes from daily life — they are the engine of our regional economy, and they deserve our full recognition and support.
At the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC), we work every day to strengthen the economic fabric of this region. And if there is one truth we return to again and again, it is this: small businesses are not just participants in our economy — they are its foundation.
The Hudson Valley is home to thousands of small businesses — from family-run restaurants in Yonkers to boutique manufacturers in Poughkeepsie, from tech startups in White Plains to agricultural operations in Ulster County. These enterprises collectively employ thousands of our neighbors, generate local tax revenue that funds our schools and infrastructure, and give our communities their distinct character and vitality. When a small business thrives, the whole community feels it.
Yet small business owners also carry burdens that often go unseen. Rising costs, workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, and the challenge of accessing capital are just a few of the obstacles our entrepreneurs navigate every day. Many of these business owners are also community leaders, parents, volunteers, and neighbors — wearing more hats than any one person should have to. They deserve recognition, resources, and real investment.
That is why I am especially excited about National Small Business Week, celebrated this year from May 3–9. This annual recognition, championed at both the federal and community levels, gives all of us — government, financial institutions, development organizations, and residents alike — a dedicated moment to shine a spotlight on the risk-takers and community-builders who keep our local economies moving.
In that spirit, I want to highlight a particularly meaningful opportunity for small business owners in our region. Webster Bank has announced its first-ever National Small Business Week Contest, and I strongly encourage every eligible Hudson Valley business owner to apply.
The contest invites small businesses located in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island to share their story — specifically, how they create economic vitality in their community, what challenges they currently face, and how a financial prize would help them grow. Businesses must have annual revenue of no more than $1 million and fewer than 100 employees. Notably, you do not need to be an existing Webster Bank client to enter.
The prizes are substantial: a first-place award of $10,000, two second-place prizes of $5,000 each, and five third-place prizes of $1,000 each. Applications are being accepted now through April 17, and winners will be announced during National Small Business Week in May. For questions or to apply, businesses can reach out to Inclusive-Vendor@websterbank.com.
This kind of partnership between financial institutions and the small business community is exactly what our region needs more of. At HVEDC, we applaud Webster Bank for creating a contest that centers the stories and struggles of real entrepreneurs — not just their balance sheets.
To every small business owner in the Hudson Valley reading this: your work matters more than you know. You are the reason our downtowns are alive, our families are employed, and our communities have a sense of place and pride. National Small Business Week is your week — and this contest is your opportunity.
Tell your story. You’ve earned it.
Mike Oates is President & CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation
