The Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) has announced the 2013 Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year. Each of the eight KSBDC regional centers selected one emerging and one existing business for the award.

In total, 16 Kansas small businesses will be recognized at a ceremony in Topeka Tuesday, March 12. The businesses were selected from more than 2,700 entrepreneurs who received KSBDC services in 2012.

“The continuing difficult national economy has provided numerous opportunities for small businesses to adapt and prosper in response, said Greg Panichello, KSBDC state director. “Collectively, we feel these 16 small businesses are excellent examples of small business adaptation and success in challenging times.”

Several of the 16 small businesses are in western Kansas.

Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year include:

Hays Fire and Rescue Sales & Service LLC
Kelvin & DeAnn Meyers, owners
Hays

Oberlin Knife Shop
J.W. & Deb Smith, owners
Oberlin

Pumpkin Paradise LLC
Steve & Janet Weidner, owners
Sublette

Sunflower Creations
Gerald & Lois Nichols, owners
Copeland