Florida SBDC at UCF Named National SBDC of the Year by SBA
UCF Center Earns SBA's Highest SBDC Honor from Nearly 1,000 Centers Nationwide
Each year, the SBA selects one SBDC from nearly 1,000 centers nationwide to receive the award as part of National Small Business Week. This national honor is bestowed for excellence in consulting and training, measurable economic impact, and innovative approaches that help small businesses start, grow, and succeed. “The Florida SBDC at UCF is an anchor of the small business ecosystem in their region,” said Paul Fitzpatrick, SBA’s Associate Administrator, Office of Entrepreneurial Development. “The SBA’s grant to the SBDC plus their team’s efforts equals thousands of entrepreneurs who can take advantage of President Trump’s America First economic agenda and SBA’s modernized capital access programs.” “We’re incredibly proud to see the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida earn the Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award,” says Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “This recognition highlights their commitment to innovation, client success, and meaningful impact for Florida’s small businesses. Their work exemplifies the very best of what our network strives to achieve every day.” Over the past decade, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida has made a profound impact on Central Florida and the statewide economy, supporting more than 15,500 businesses through over 206,700 hours of expert consulting. This work has translated into measurable economic success, including $606.2 million in capital formation and more than $1.03 billion in government contracts secured. The center has also helped launch 1,226 new businesses, fueled $948.8 million in sales growth, and contributed to the creation of more than 8,200 jobs while helping retain over 10,000 - further demonstrating its critical role in advancing Florida’s small business community. Eunice Choi has served as the regional director of the Florida SBDC at UCF since 2006, during which time she has led significant growth and expanded services for small businesses across Central Florida. She will retire this summer after 28 years of dedicated service. “We are humbled yet immensely gratified to be honored as the SBDC of the Year by the SBA,” said Eunice Choi, Regional Director of the FSBDC at UCF. “Our team takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to serving the small business community and advancing SBA’s mission. This award reflects our consistent ability to exceed SBA milestones and outperform our own high expectations within the Florida SBDC Network.” The Florida SBDC at UCF will be formally recognized during National Small Business Week, held May 3-9, 2026, at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., alongside SBA award winners from across the country. |
