COLUMBIA, SC – The Honorable John Wesley Matthews, Jr. of Columbia, South Carolina will receive the Vision 2000 Models of Excellence Award at Vision 2000: The States and Small Business Conference to be held on Dec.1 – 2, in Washington, D.C. Winners of these national awards were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, which is sponsoring the awards program. Vision 2000 is designed to showcase outstanding initiatives that advance small business programs and policies.

"It is a honor to present a Vision 2000 Award to so many outstanding local small business initiatives," Chief Counsel for Advocacy Jere W. Glover said. "These award-winning small business programs and leaders are the surest guarantee for small business success in the new millennium. The Office of Advocacy will give these awards in December to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of entrepreneurship in the 20th Century."

Vision 2000 Models of Excellence Awards for Leadership in Small Business Issues honor Advisory counsels, committees, conferences, state ombudsman, or other entities or individuals that provide leadership and serve to amplify the voice of small business.

Senator John Matthews, Jr., is an example of a leader who has always maintained an entrepreneurial spirit. Having established his first businesses as a young person, he has maintained his entrepreneurial interests, as well as a commitment to economic development, throughout his career. Senator Matthews began his legislative career in 1974 when he ran for the South Carolina House of Representatives. He served in the House from 1974 to 1984 and has served in the State Senate since 1985. During his tenure, Senator Matthews has been a leader in securing legislation that helps small businesses start and prosper.

In 1987, Senator Matthews wrote legislation that enabled disadvantaged business enterprises to compete among themselves for contracts. He also authored legislation to provide South Carolina’s community development corporations $3 million in funding for loan pools to finance start-up businesses. Senator Matthews was instrumental in the enactment of legislation to create the Division of Small and Minority Business in the Office of the Governor of South Carolina. He understands the needs of rural communities, and has worked to improve their economic strength.

Senator Matthews’ commitment to the South Carolina small business community can be seen in his efforts to create economic development vehicles that stimulate and develop small businesses. In addition to using his legislative authority to help small business, he has also recognized the need to provide quality technical assistance to them, and has been an essential fundraiser for the state’s small and minority business development centers. Senator John Wesley Matthews, Jr., is a distinguished and inspiring small business leader.

State policy-makers, state and local program directors, non-profit service providers, small business owners, and small business trade association executives will attend this year’s conference to honor winners in a number of categories including: Leadership in Small Business Issues; Small Business Development; Access to Capital; Government Procurement Opportunities; Regulations that Work for Small Business; Programs that Support Small Technology Businesses; Women’s Business Development; Minority Business Development; Rural Business Development; and Distinguished Programs.

Supporters of the event include the American Franchisee Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ceridian, ChamberBiz.com, Fortune Small Business Magazine, International Franchise Association, Microsoft, National Association of Women Business Owners, National Business Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Small Business United, Onvia.com, Pacific Bell, Small Business Association of Michigan, Small Business Legislative Council, Small Business Technology Coalition, SMC Business Councils and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Vision 2000: The States and Small Business Conference will be held on Dec. 1-2, in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is located at 1615 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20062. For more information about the conference and award winners visit the Vision 2000 home page at http://www.sba.gov/ADVO/vision.html. Inquiries about program content and awards may be directed to Paulette Norvel-Lewis at (404) 331-3081.

The SBA's Office of Advocacy was created by an act of Congress in 1976 to protect, strengthen and effectively represent the nation's small businesses within the federal government. As part of this mandate, the office conducts policy studies and economic research on issues of concern to small business and publishes data on small business characteristics and contributions. For instant access to small business resources, statistics, and research, visit the Office of Advocacy's home page at http://www.sba.gov/ADVO/.

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