First Lady Cecilia Abbott Honors 2015 Governors Small Business Awards Winners

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott honored the winners of the 2015 Governors Small Business Awards this week emphasizing the important role small businesses play in the success of Texas economy.  Both events were hosted by the Texas Governors Office and the Texas Workforce Commission. Small businesses are crucial to our states economy and play an important role in the future of Texas" said First Lady Abbott. We believe in encouraging more Texans to invest in themselves and their communities and that begins with policies that make it easier to start and grow a business. In Texas we know that means low taxes and reasonable regulations. These policies not only benefit business owners but also employees their families local communities and the entire state. I can guarantee you that Governor Abbott will continue to make sure that Texas remains the model for doing business in the nation." On Tuesday three Texas small businesses were presented with the Governors Small Business Award at the 2015 Texas Rural Challenge in Waco: Free Flight Systems Shield Bearer Inc. Taste Elevated Thursday seven women-owned small businesses based in Central Texas were awarded the 2015 Governors Small Business Award at the Governors Small Business Forum in Austin:

• Latina Entrepreneurial Excellence Award: Rebecca Contreras of AvantGarde
• Excellence in Veteran Engagement Award: Charmane Sellers of Aleon Properties Inc.
• Cultural Arts Excellence Award: Elizabeth Avellan of Troublemaker Studios
• Excellence in Innovation Award: Rebecca and Elizabeth Arreaga of Mercury Mambo
• Emerging Woman-Owned Business of the Year Award: Isabella Rose Taylor
• Community Investment Excellence Award: Lauren Foster of Stretch Recipes Inc.
• Supplier of the Year Award: Harutunian Engineering Inc.

The Governors Office of Economic Development and Tourism in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission hosts Governors Small Business forums throughout the year and all across Texas. The first 2015 Governors Small Business Forum was held in La Vernia on March 17 2015 where the following Texas small businesses were named as 2015 Governors Small Business Award Winners: O.G. Supply Papa Dantes Italian Restaurant McMahan Welding Service Ltd. Cycle Ranch Frames and Things Hydes Hen House Main Drug Company and Gift Shop Power Plant Texas Grill V.L.S. Industries Martinez Highway 90 BBQ Wendel Motor Company The El Paso Governors Small Business Forum was held on April 16 2015 and honored Texas small business that have been in business for longer than 25 years: Good Luck Caf DWS Building Supply Economy Cash & Carry WestStar Bank Pizza Properties DBA Peter Piper Pizza For more information on future 2015 forums click here.