SU's LSBDC wins service excellence, innovation center award

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University has been selected to receive the "Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award" by the United States Small Business Administration's Louisiana District Office.

Small businesses across Louisiana will be recognized during National Small Business Week (May 12-16) and honored at an event to be held May 14 at the Governor's Mansion. This year's winners represent a wide range of industries and come from areas across Louisiana, according to a press release by the SBA.

William Campbell, director of the LSBDC at SU, said he gives "glory to God" for the recognition.

The award, he said, means "that we surpassed all LSBDC Centers Performance in the entire network in counseling, capital infusion and job creation. It means we are building innovative programs for small businesses to grow and develop."

"What our LSBDC team has accomplished in three years has never been accomplished," he said. "This is a team committed to transformation. It also means a win in the vision to transform Southern University."

A client of the LSBDC at SU, Mitch Rotolo, founder and CEO of Rotolo's Pizzeria, received "Runner-Up to Family-Owned Business Champion."

"We are creating champions in the business community who will be creating new jobs to grow a diverse Louisiana economy," Campbell said proudly of the recognition won by LSBDC's client.