Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognized outstanding business owners and supporters at the 2024 Louisiana Small Business Awards ceremony, held at the Louisiana Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge on Thursday.
The event celebrated the resilience and diversity of Louisiana’s entrepreneurial community, acknowledging individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the state’s economy. Among the honorees was Jonathan Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, who was named LEDC Micro Lender of the Year for his exemplary work at Carter Credit Union.
Reynolds, recognized for his efforts to benefit the local small business community, expressed gratitude for the award, emphasizing the economic impact achieved through providing access to capital and supporting business growth and retention in Louisiana.
The annual event, hosted by LED for over 25 years, coincides with National Small Business Week, a week-long celebration highlighting the vital role of entrepreneurs and small business owners in the national economy.
Other honorees at the ceremony included recipients of the SBA Champion Awards in various categories, such as Entrepreneurial Success, Minority Small Business Champion, Lender of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Veteran Small Business Champion, Women in Business Champion, and more.
Notable awardees included Iam C. Tucker, owner of Integrated Logistical Support Incorporated (ILSI), who was recognized as the National Small Business Person of the Year by the SBA. Tucker’s exceptional leadership and business acumen have led to significant growth and resilience in the engineering field.
In addition to individual awards, several organizations were honored for their contributions to small business development, including LEDC Equity Fund of the Year, LEDC Most Valuable Bank of the Year, Louisiana APEX Accelerator Government Contractor of the Year, Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana Small Manufacturer’s Award, and more.
