Blue Collar Work

charlie5566
1 hour ago
2 min read

Industrial Repair Service of S.C. gets recognition from the U.S. small business administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) South Carolina District Office has announced local honorees for National Small Business Week (NSBW), which will take place May 3-9. Each year during NSBW, the SBA recognizes "exceptional small businesses" across all 50 states, as well as U.S. districts and territories. Those who were selected to win national awards will be honored May 3 at the SBA National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

This year, South Carolina has two national award recipients: Small Business Person of the Year,

and the first recipient of the National Specialty Award – Blue-Collar Small Business of the Year, a

new category added this year.

The latter award went to Industrial Motor Service Inc., of Anderson, S.C., a service center familiar to EA readers.

IMS is led by Doug and Taylor Powell, a father-daughter team blending tradition with the future of blue-collar business. Doug, now owner and shop foreman, started at the business at age 18 and worked his way up over the course of 30+ years, ultimately purchasing the company in 2015. "His leadership reflects dedication, fairness, and respect for skilled trades," said the SBA in a press release emailed to Electrical Apparatus. Taylor, the company's COO, also began at 18 and now focuses on growth and opportunity—expanding access to trades through partnerships with schools, government, and workforce programs while continuing her father’s legacy. She was recently featured in the pages of EA.

Rounding out the list, local award winners included:

 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year

SealCath, LLC – Owner: Cephus Simmons, Sr. Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Website: www.sealcath.com

 Rural Small Business of the Year

Lowcountry Creamery – Owner: Patrick Myers, Bowman, S.C.

Website: www.lowcountrycreamery.com

 Small Business Exporter of the Year

Dock Blocks of North America, LLC – Owner: Matthew West, Charleston, S.C.

Website: www.dock-blocks.com

 Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence & Innovation Award

Myrtle Beach Area SBDC, Myrtle Beach, S.C.