2017 Winners
“Small business is the backbone of the American economy. As you’ve seen over the last several months, Kentucky is experiencing an unparalleled renaissance of economic growth, and it’s only going to continue as we nurture a climate for small business to thrive.”
– Lieutenant Governor Jenean Hampton
Kentucky’s small businesses were celebrated in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort during Kentucky Celebrates Small Business on May 3, 2017. The Kentucky Small Business Development Center presented Kentucky Pacesetter awards to 10 businesses that were chosen based on how they are changing Kentucky’s economic landscape by introducing innovative products, increasing sales and/or production, boosting employment and serving their communities.
Debra Dudley, Oscarware Inc. – Bonnieville, Kentucky-
Western Kentucky University SBDC client Debra Dudley, co-founder and president of Oscarware Inc., was chosen as the 2017 Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year and went on to be selected as first runner-up U.S. National Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.