Lincoln Savings Bank Chosen for Inaugural SBDC Champion Award
It’s becoming common knowledge that Lincoln Savings Bank is dedicated to partnering with the community and small businesses, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they were recognized for this during Small Business Week last week.
LSB was awarded America’s SBDC’s inaugural Small Business Champion award for 2017. This honor was created to recognize business partners who go above and beyond in support of small businesses in Iowa. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBDC has helped Iowa businesses and entrepreneurs through professional business counseling and practical, affordable training workshops since 1981.
The State Director of Iowa SBDC, Lisa Shimkat, and Iowa’s Secretary of State, Paul Pate, presented the Champion Award to the LSB CEO & President, Erik Skovgard, in the Ankeny branch on Thursday, May 4
th. The ceremony was crowded with proud LSB team members alongside members of the local media and small business owners.
"America's SBDC Iowa is so fortunate to have this opportunity to work together to spotlight Iowa success stories,” said Shimkat. “Lincoln Savings Bank is certainly deserving of being recognized as our 2017 Iowa SBDC Champion."
WHY IS LSB DIFFERENT?
Lincoln Savings Bank is proudly owned and managed in Iowa by Iowans who are committed to the communities they serve. That commitment reveals itself in a variety of ways, including their passion to assist small business startups and growth.
“As we considered candidates for this new award, we wanted to be sure we chose a very special partner as our Champion,” said Shimkat. “Ultimately the choice became very clear. Lincoln Savings Bank has stepped up to increase their assistance and efforts to help small businesses and America’s SBDC Iowa."
Small business owners create over 60 percent of the new jobs in America. It is vital that they receive support in a world that becomes more and more difficult for the business start-up. Thankfully, those like Pate and Shimkat recognize this obstacle. “Too often, people see government as this big barrier,” said Pate. “[We are] ready to step in and give guidance and direction, to be supportive and coach and all those things small businesses might need.”
Pate said that LSB “has been truly a champion in helping us get the message out by helping the businesses that are starting and to keep main street Iowa on track.”
“While it certainly is an honor to win this award, the real privilege is getting the opportunity to serve small businesses,” said Skovgard. “They are the American dream in play. They are hard-working people with big dreams and a passion to serve their employees and their communities. It is our honor to serve them.”
If you need assistance in the development or growth of your own small business, partner with someone who wants to support you every step of the way and
contact us!
Lincoln Savings Bank, Member FDIC
