Oklahoma City — Greg Costley, owner of Costley Enterprises, Inc., has been named Oklahoma’s Small Business Person of the Year for 2026 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as part of a nationwide recognition of entrepreneurial excellence.
The announcement comes ahead of National Small Business Week, an annual initiative that celebrates the contribution of small businesses across the United States. Winners have been selected from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Costley’s recognition places him among a cohort of leading entrepreneurs credited with driving economic growth, job creation and innovation within their respective communities. Based in Broken Arrow, his company has been highlighted for its sustained business performance and local impact.
“The entrepreneurs we are recognizing during this week represent the very best of Oklahoma’s small business community,” said Regional Administrator Justin Crossie. “Across Oklahoma, they are driving growth, creating jobs and expanding opportunity in ways that strengthen our economy from the ground up.”
As part of the national programme, Costley and other state-level winners have been invited to attend official ceremonies in Washington, D.C., scheduled for May 3–4. The event will include the presentation of individual awards, as well as the announcement of the national runner-up and the 2026 National Small Business Person of the Year.
The SBA will also co-host a two-day virtual summit on May 5–6, offering a series of educational workshops and networking opportunities aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners. In parallel, the agency’s regional and field offices will deliver local recognition events and seminars throughout the week.
“These entrepreneurs take the risk of opening a small business, help invest in their communities across Oklahoma, and create important jobs for Oklahomans,” Fernanda Pedraza-Schmitt, Oklahoma SBA District Director said. “They represent the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Oklahoma’s success.”
Alongside Costley, ten additional individuals and businesses across Oklahoma have been recognised in various categories, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the state’s small business landscape.
Stacey Schmidt of OGI Process Equipment in Sand Springs has been named Manufacturer of the Year, while Tracy Copeland of TGI Enterprises, Inc. in Tulsa received the Entrepreneurial Success Award. In rural business recognition, Shelly Boren, owner of Shelly’s Stigler Café in Stigler, was honoured for her contribution to local enterprise.
Further awards include Shelley Lynch of Lynch 3F’s Poultry and Rabbit Processing in Checotah, who was recognised as Blue Collar Small Business of the Year, and Rodlin and Mia Doyle of Allied Community Services in Oklahoma City, who received the Veteran Small Business of the Year accolade.
Emerging and experienced entrepreneurs were also acknowledged. Michael Jackson of Jaxson Construction in Bixby was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year, while Greg Dimery of Fenway Enterprises in Oklahoma City received the Encore Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Family and home-based businesses featured prominently among this year’s winners. Ali Sevier of Royal Printing in Oklahoma City was recognised as Family-Owned Business of the Year, and Starla Halcomb of LEAD Training in Stillwater was named Home-Based Business of the Year.
In addition, Jonah Toey of Partner Tulsa was awarded the Small Business Champion title, reflecting contributions to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The SBA’s Oklahoma District Office will complement these recognitions with a programme of events throughout National Small Business Week, aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with resources, training and opportunities to support business development and long-term growth.
The annual initiative continues to serve as a platform for highlighting the critical role small businesses play in local and national economies, particularly in driving employment and fostering innovation at the community level.
Further details on National Small Business Week activities and the full list of 2026 awardees are available via the SBA’s official website.
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