2015 Governor’s Small Business Awards
Last week I attended two Governor's Small Business Forums, and at the forums I announced the recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Small Business Awards. Small businesses are crucial to our state’s economy and play an important role in the future of Texas. We believe in encouraging more Texans to invest in themselves and their communities, and that begins with policies that make it easier to start and grow a business. In Texas, we know that means low taxes and reasonable regulations. These policies not only benefit business owners, but also employees, their families, local communities, and the entire state. I can guarantee you that Governor Abbott will continue to make sure that Texas remains the model for doing business in the nation.
On Tuesday I was in Waco at the 2015 Texas Rural Challenge, where three Texas small businesses were presented with the Governor’s Small Business Award:
Free Flight Systems
Shield Bearer, Inc.
Taste Elevated
Here I am with Lori Krieger of Taste Elevated.
On Thursday, seven women-owned small businesses based in Central Texas were awarded the 2015 Governor’s Small Business Award at the Governor’s Small Business Forum in Austin:
Latina Entrepreneurial Excellence Award: Rebecca Contreras of AvantGarde
Excellence in Veteran Engagement Award: Charmane Sellers of Aleon Properties, Inc.
Cultural Arts Excellence Award: Elizabeth Avellan of Troublemaker Studios
Excellence in Innovation Award: Rebecca and Elizabeth Arreaga of Mercury Mambo
Emerging Woman-Owned Business of the Year Award: Isabella Rose Taylor
Community Investment Excellence Award: Lauren Foster of Stretch Recipes, Inc.
Supplier of the Year Award: Harutunian Engineering, Inc.
Here I am with all seven winners.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission, hosts Governor’s Small Business forums throughout the year and all across Texas. The first 2015 Governor’s Small Business Forum was held in La Vernia on March 17, 2015, where the following Texas small businesses were named as 2015 Governor’s Small Business Award Winners:
O.G. Supply
Papa Dante’s Italian Restaurant
McMahan Welding Service, Ltd.
Cycle Ranch
Frames and Things
Hyde’s Hen House
Main Drug Company and Gift Shop
Power Plant Texas Grill
V.L.S. Industries
Martinez Highway 90 BBQ
Wendel Motor Company
The El Paso Governor’s Small Business Forum was held on April 16, 2015 and honored Texas small business that have been in business for longer than 25 years:
Good Luck Café
DWS Building Supply
Economy Cash & Carry
WestStar Bank
Pizza Properties DBA Peter Piper Pizza
More information on future 2015 forums.