SBDC Champion of the Year Award

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) awarded Greg Garrett from the City of Tehachapi the Champion of the Year Award representing 15 counties in Central California. The SBDC Director Kelly Bearden and Consultant Jay Thompson made the trip to Tehachapi on Thursday October 15 to present the award to Garrett in person.

"The award is the Central California Region SBDC Champion of the Year and is given to the stakeholder who exemplifies leadership and also the needs for your small businesses within your community, and this year we are recognizing Mr. Greg Garrett," said Bearden. "The success we have had through the SBDC programs in working with Tehachapi small businesses has been a win-win for the community, small businesses and the SBDC."

"This honor signifies the hard work put in by our Tehachapi based businesses, the Tehachapi community that supports our local businesses and the collaborations built through the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council, the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, and the SBDC," said Garrett.

There are more than 100 Tehachapi based businesses that work with the SBDC and participate in their programs, according to Thompson. For more information on SBDC programs for local businesses go to http://www.CSUBSBDC.com

"He is amazing, and I am really proud of the fact that Greg Garrett and the City of Tehachapi won this big award," said Mayor Susan Wiggins.

The award ceremony is normally conducted as part of a large regional banquet but was postponed due to the pandemic. Bearden and Thompson made the trip to Tehachapi to personally give Garrett the award. The small gathering included Mayor Wiggins, Councilperson Christina Scrivner, Greg Garrett, Kelly Bearden, Jay Thompson and a member of the media.