The Guam Small Business Development Center (Guam SBDC) at the University of Guam recently received the Region IX Excellence and Innovations Award from the United States Small Business Administration.

The award recognized the Center for their outstanding achievements in supporting and expanding the economic development of existing small businesses and small business start-ups across the area. This was the first time the Guam SBDC won this award.

The Region IX district includes Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, and California.

Casey Jeszenka, Network Director of the Pacific Islands SBDA Network, said the award made him extremely proud of his team.

“It’s nice to be recognized that we do quality work,” he said. “It’s definitely a team effort.”

The Guam SDBC is a member of the University of Guam’s Pacific Island Small Business Development Center Network, which aims to support the growth and economic development of the U.S. affiliated islands in the western pacific region by providing high quality training and one-on-one confidential counseling for small business. The Center has been in partnership with the University of Guam for more than 20 years.

The Guam SBDC was recognized at the SBA’s Award ceremony on Wednesday, April 6.