In the midst of unrelenting uncertainty, one constant has been the commitment of our state’s entrepreneurs to create, innovate and drive recovery.

Small business owners have weathered many challenges while demonstrating their resilience and dedication to building our local and state economies.

We celebrate our nation’s 32.5 million small businesses creating two out of every three net new jobs in the private sector.

Here in Arizona, 99.5% of companies are small and provide employment for 42.9% of private sector employees.

Year after year, small businesses are the greatest sources of innovation, jobs and revenue growth in Arizona’s dynamic economy. And each year we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments.

It is my honor to announce the Arizona winners of the 2022 SBA Small Business Week awards.

These outstanding business owners are the risk takers, the innovators and the employers that fuel our economy and daily serve our communities as local leaders:

• Arizona Small Business Person of the Year — Tracey Latham, Latham Industries LLC — Phoenix
• Pacific Region Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year — Edward O. Willis, WW Associates Management & Consulting LLC — Scottsdale
• Arizona 8(a) Graduate of the Year — Araunaud Teo, MAC GC-Electric Inc. — Yuma
• National Small Business Investment Company of the Year — Established Manager — Brian N. Burns, Sherman Chu, and Brian S. Smith, Grayhawk Ventures Fund II LP — Scottsdale

Take part in the celebration by supporting your favorite local business. Shop small, leave a positive online review and make a referral on social media.

Entrepreneurs can participate in the National Small Business Week virtual summit by visiting www.sba.gov/nsbw.

SBA, along with valued small business partners, will share important information about the many programs and services available to help businesses start and grow, continue to power our economic growth, strengthen our supply chains, and deliver the products and services Americans depend on every day.

You can also access local business counseling, training and financial resources to start and grow your small business at www.sba.gov/az.

Editor’s note: Robert J. Blaney is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arizona district director.