Columbia,S.C, April 1, 2026— Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) South Carolina District Office announced local honorees for National Small Business Week (NSBW), which will take place this year from May 3 – 9, 2026. Each year during NSBW, the SBA recognizes exceptional small businesses across all 50 states, as well as U.S. districts and territories. Those who were selected to win national awards will be honored in Washington, D.C. on May 3rd at the SBA National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony.
This year, South Carolina has two national award recipients:Small Business Person of the Year, and the first recipient of the National Specialty Award – Blue-Collar Small Business of the Year, a new category added this year.
National Awards Winners include:
- South Carolina’s Small Business Person of the Year
Nathaniel Durant, Owner of ND3 Inc., Columbia, S.C
Website: www.nd3inc.com
SBA recognizes Nathaniel Durant, CEO of ND3 Inc., a company specializing in defense simulation, C4I interoperability, IT modernization, and drone operations. Under his leadership, ND3 has grown into an award-winning federal prime contractor, securing a $34.4 million U.S. Army Reserve contract and other key federal awards, while advancing workforce development and creating training-to-employment pathways for veterans with disabilities in South Carolina.
- National Specialty Award – Blue-Collar Small Business of the Year
Industrial Motor Service Inc. – Owners: Doug Powell and Taylor Powell, Anderson, S.C.
Website: www.industrialmotorservice.com
Industrial Motor Service is led by Doug and Taylor Powell, a father-daughter team blending tradition with the future of blue-collar business. Doug, now Owner and Shop Foreman, started at IMS at 18 and worked his way up over 30+ years, purchasing the company in 2015. His leadership reflects dedication, fairness, and respect for skilled trades.Taylor, COO, also began at 18 and now focuses on growth and opportunity—expanding access to trades through partnerships withschools, government, and workforce programs while continuing her father’s legacy.
Local Awards Winners Include:
- Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
SealCath, LLC – Owner: Cephus Simmons, Sr. Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Website: www.sealcath.com
- Rural Small Business of the Year
Lowcountry Creamery – Owner: Patrick Myers, Bowman, S.C.
Website: www.lowcountrycreamery.com
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
Dock Blocks of North America, LLC – Owner: Matthew West, Charleston, S.C.
Website: www.dock-blocks.com
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence & Innovation Award
Myrtle Beach Area SBDC, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Website: https://www.scsbdc.com/meet-our-team
- Women-Owned Small Business of the Year
Foresight Communications, LLC – Owner: Courtney Young, Columbia, S.C.
Website: https://thinkfsc.com
- VeteranSmall Business Person of the Year
Green Gorilla Land Management, LLC – Owner: Daniel Beirne, Hollywood, S.C.
Website: www.gglandmanagement.com
“Through the leadership of President Donald Trump and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler we have witnessed incredible changes, growth and opportunity for the entrepreneurs located across the Southeast Region,” said SBA Regional Administrator Tyler Teresa. “We are excited to celebrate the strength and commitment of this year’s National Small Business Week winners and we look forward to honoring each of their contributions during celebrations occurring across the region during National Small Business Week. Congratulations to each of the selected winners and thank you for trusting SBA as a collaborator to scale your small business or organization to new heights.”
“South Carolina is home to over 530,000 small businesses, representing 99.4% of all small businesses statewide, a big reminder that when small businesses succeed, South Carolina succeeds,” said SBA South Carolina District Director Melissa Lindler.
Since 1963, the President of the United States has declared National Small Business Week to recognize small businesses as the job creators, builders, and innovators of America’s economy. This year, small businesses in South Carolina and across the nation are benefitting from a host of new pro-growth incentives introduced as part of the America First agenda – including historic deregulation, fair trade, and Working Family Tax Cuts that have already restored opportunity and investment on Main Street. Today, small business optimism is above its 52-year average.
“We are proud to announce these local honorees and look forward to celebrating them on May 6th, during the 13thAnnual Small Business Week Conference hosted by the City of Columbia,” said SBA S.C. District Director Melissa Lindler. “The awards showcase the achievements of these outstanding small businesses who are making a difference in our state by creating jobs, increasing economic prosperity, and helping their communities thrive.”
In addition to recognizing award winners, the SBA South Carolina District Office will host events throughout National Small Business Week to connect entrepreneurs with resources, training, and opportunities to start, grow, and succeed. Details on National Small Business Week, the award winners, and the virtual summit are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and are identifiable by searching #Small Business Week.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Cosponsorship Authorization #26-1-C. SBA’s participation in this Cosponsored Activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
