Small Business Assistance Corporation Hosts 23rd Annual Luncheon And Awards Ceremony


(L-R) Jenny Dent of Visit Savannah (T McCoy Cornerstone Award), Adam Turoni of Chocolat’ By Adam (Micro entrepreneur of the Year), Mark and Trudy Sauer of Savannah Global Solutions, LLC (Michael Bunn Sr. Rising Star Award)
(L-R) Jenny Dent of Visit Savannah (T McCoy Cornerstone Award), Adam Turoni of Chocolat’ By Adam (Micro entrepreneur of the Year), Mark and Trudy Sauer of Savannah Global Solutions, LLC (Michael Bunn Sr. Rising Star Award)

The Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC) hosted its 23rd Annual Luncheon and Awards ceremony recently at Savannah Station. Guests enjoyed food and live entertainment as the SBAC recognized Ameris Bank as the Small Business Lending Unit of the Year. This last fiscal year, SBAC and Ameris’ commercial lending department funded loans totaling $1,729,780 for projects that totaled $2,981,100; most notable is the project for Sorry Charleys, a previously blighted property facing Ellis Square in Historic Downtown Savannah.

The Micro entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Adam Turoni of Chocolat’ by Adam and the T McCoy Cornerstone Award recipient was Jenny Dent of Visit Savannah. This award is given to a person achieving the highest level of excellence as an Administrative Professional. “We love to take this time to honor those who have personified values we share” said Tony O’Reilly, SBAC President.

The Michael Bunn, Sr. Rising Star Small Business of the Year was awarded to Mark and Trudy Sauer of Savannah Global Solutions, LLC. “As small business owners, time is always in short supply. There is no way we would have had the energy and in-house expertise to pull together all of the information needed to apply for an SBA loan without the hand-holding provided by the patient and knowledgeable staff of the SBAC in Savannah. They walked us through the process, deciphered the requirements, and working hand in hand with SunTrust, helped us present our paperwork in the manner that is preferred by the SBA when reviewing requests for funding. It was definitely a positive experience for us! The SBAC in Savannah is truly a tremendous resource for small business” said Trudy Sauer.

Savannah Global Solutions, LLC markets and manufactures mechanical and chemical site preparation equipment used to forest and reforest commercial timber plantations, prepares sites for bio-fuel crops such as sugar cane, and converts native land and cut-over timber land back to crop land. The use of this highly sophisticated soil preparation equipment results in better survival and growth of trees and crops in very rugged soil conditions.

Savannah Global Solutions secured a loan for the purchase, modification and improvement of a commercial building. SBAC Partnered with Gabe Thomas and Carol Coppola of SunTrust Bank on the project totaling $1.7MM.

Retiring member of the board, Jennifer Sawyer was also honored for her service.


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