DURANT, Okla. — Several Oklahoma business owners and community leaders have been recognised by the U.S. Small Business Administration during National Small Business Week, highlighting the role small enterprises continue to play in driving regional economic growth and entrepreneurship across the state.
Among those honoured were Executive Vice President of Financial Services Jay Hannah of BancFirst, Greg Costley of Costley Enterprises, and four clients supported by the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network.
The awards were presented as part of National Small Business Week celebrations, which recognise contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation and local economic development.
Shelly Boren of Shelly’s Stigler Café received the 2026 Rural Small Business Owner of the Year award. Located in Stigler, the café first sought assistance from the Oklahoma SBDC during the COVID-19 pandemic to help navigate disaster relief funding opportunities.
According to the release, the business has continued to work with the Oklahoma SBDC and remains an important part of the local community.
Shelley Lynch of 3F’s Poultry and Rabbit Processing in Checotah was named the 2026 Blue Collar Small Business of the Year. The company operates the only state-inspected facility for non-commercial poultry and rabbit processing in the Checotah area, serving both local producers and rural customers.
The business reportedly worked with the Oklahoma SBDC to strengthen management practices, refine long-term planning and expand services to support future growth.
Ali Sevier of Royal Printing in Oklahoma City was recognised as the 2026 Family-Owned Business of the Year. Royal Printing has maintained a long-standing position within Oklahoma’s printing industry, including a decades-long contract with the State Election Board to produce ballots for local, state and national elections.
Seeking greater year-round operational stability, the company collaborated with the Oklahoma SBDC to improve operational strategy, strengthen digital marketing visibility and identify higher-margin services and new markets.
Gregg Dimery of Fenway Enterprises, based in Oklahoma City, was named the 2026 Encore Entrepreneur of the Year. Fenway Enterprises initially worked with the Oklahoma SBDC to secure guidance relating to federal contracting opportunities and continues to utilise support and advisory services from the organisation.
National Small Business Week ceremony highlights role of local enterprise
The award winners were recognised during a National Small Business Week ceremony sponsored by BancFirst and hosted by the Oklahoma SBA and Oklahoma SBDC at the BancFirst Petroleum Club in downtown Oklahoma City.
The event also included an official proclamation from Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt recognising May 3–9 as Small Business Week in Oklahoma.
Speakers at the ceremony included Dr Michele Hockersmith, State Director of the Oklahoma SBDC; Jeff DeSpain, President of BancFirst; Fernanda Pedraza-Schmitt, District Director of the Oklahoma SBA; Ray Little, Director of Entrepreneurship and Small Business for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce; and Stephanie Farris, Business Opportunity Specialist with the Oklahoma SBA.
The Oklahoma SBDC said the awards demonstrate the importance of small businesses in supporting local economies, creating employment opportunities and strengthening communities throughout the state.
Since 1984, the Oklahoma SBDC has operated as a business consulting network providing advisory services to entrepreneurs and small business owners across Oklahoma’s 77 counties. The organisation states that it has assisted more than 150,000 Oklahomans in pursuing business ownership and entrepreneurial development.
Business owners are able to access advisory services through 20 locations across the state, with support covering operational planning, financial strategy, marketing and growth development.
The Oklahoma SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and works in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, higher education institutions, technology centres and regional consortiums.
The organisation added that its network has been hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University since 1984.
