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K-State Today

September 25, 2019

Engineering Extension program receives 2019 Excellence Award

Submitted by Allison Crowther

K-State Pollution Prevention Institute: Allison Crowther, Lynelle Ladd, Arthur Fink, Nancy Larson (Director), Leena Divakar

The National Steering Committee of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs, known as SBEAPs, and Small Business Ombudsmen, or SBO, has selected the Kansas Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, part of the Pollution Prevention Institute in Kansas State University Engineering Extension, to receive the 2019 Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Award for Excellence.

The award category recognizes exemplary performance of one SBEAP/SBO or individual in the areas of compliance assistance, sustainability, advocacy and collaboration at the national level. The SBEAP Excellence Award emphasizes a state program or individual leadership that has created resources and work products, promoted policy advancements, developed program innovations and established new partnerships to build a strong network of small business assistance.

"Not only does the Kansas SBEAP serve as a vital resource for businesses in the state, but program staff members are leaders in the national SBEAP network, benefiting small businesses nationwide," said Lisa Ashenbrenner Hunt, national steering committee chair of the SBEAPs/SBO. "Of particular note is their creation and maintenance of the national SBEAP website, which allows SBEAPs across the country to share ideas and resources, greatly increasing the programs' effectiveness and efficiency."

"We are humbled and honored with this award from our state peers," said Nancy Larson, director with the K-State Pollution Prevention Institute and Kansas SBEAP. "In our line of work, we learn new things daily and could not have the program we have in Kansas without help from other state SBEAPs."

The national steering committee SBEAP/SBO awards are the states' premier awards program for recognizing outstanding environmental leadership among small businesses and small business assistance providers. A sponsoring partner in this awards program is the U.S. EPA Asbestos and Small Business Office.

The award was presented at the 2019 Annual SBEAP/SBO Training May 15 in Chicago.

The K-State Pollution Prevention Institute will celebrate 30 years of service during an open house on Oct. 10. For more details, visit ksuppi.org/events.

The Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs and Small Business Ombudsmen were created under Section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. For more than 25 years, the SBEAP/SBO have provided extensive, hands-on technical assistance to small businesses across the country to help them understand and comply with complex environmental regulations. The SBEAP/SBO website is a resource for program participants and small businesses.