Skip to main content

College of The Albemarle

site logo desktop site logo mobile

College of The Albemarle’s Small Business Center Recognized for Excellence by the North Carolina Community Colleges System

home icon>Featured>College of The Albemarle’s Small Business Center Recognized for Excellence by the North Carolina Community Colleges System
Holly Staples

December 17, 2024

Elizabeth City, N.C. – The North Carolina Community Colleges System (NCCCS) awarded College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Small Business Center (SBC) the 2024 Excellence Award for its outstanding leadership and impact within the state’s Small Business Center Network (SBCN). This recognition specifically highlights the center’s role in supporting a local business in overcoming the challenges of creating a grocery market within a small rural community, which provides a much-needed resource for residents.

Tammy and Billy Newell turned to COA’s Small Business Center for guidance and support as they rebuilt an old grocery store into a thriving Little Riddle Market in South Mills. Their journey from a small vegetable stand to a bustling marketplace highlights the power of partnership and the Small Business Center’s role in the community.

Holly Staples reflected on the recognition, saying, “It’s truly an honor to be acknowledged for the work we do every day. Supporting small business owners like Tammy and Billy Newell, whose Little Riddle Market has transformed their community, is the heart of what we do. Their passion and perseverance are a source of inspiration, and I’m so proud to have played a role in their success.”

Robin Zinsmeister, COA Dean of Workforce Development, Public Services and Career Readiness, shared, “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of the Small Business Center team and the entrepreneurs we serve. It’s rewarding to see businesses thrive and make meaningful impacts in their communities.”

Dr. Jack Bagwell, COA President, added, “The Small Business Center supports COA’s mission to transform lives and communities. By equipping small business owners with the tools and resources they need, Holly and her team are profoundly impacting local entrepreneurial efforts. This recognition is well-earned, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.”

For more information about COA’s Small Business Center and the resources available, visit www.albemarle.edu/sbc or contact Holly Staples, Small Business Center Director, at 252-335-0821, ext. 2370 or [email protected].

 

For all other COA-related information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at [email protected] or 252.335.0821 ext. 2420.