News by SB Informer

Arlington Economic Development's Tara Miles Receives SBA Award

Northern Virginia Leader Recognized as Minority Small Business Champion of the Year

SB Informer
Monday, May 22, 2006; 08:13 AM

ARLINGTON, Va. - Arlington Economic Development (AED) announced today that the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized one of Arlington, Virginia's economic development experts for her achievements in small business success and minority leadership. Tara Miles, manager of business development for AED, has been awarded the Minority Small Business Champion of the Year designation, one of several 2006 U.S. SBA Administration's Small Business Champion Awards.

Miles, a 15-year marketing veteran specializing in business development strategies, received the award for her significant contributions to minority business in Arlington, VA. Most notably, Miles achieved success through her leadership of BizLaunch, Arlington's small business assistance network that encourages Arlington's many diverse entrepreneurs to build jobs and wealth in the community through the creation of small businesses. As director of the initiative, Miles oversees the entrepreneurial program and is responsible for outreach initiatives to small business owners in the D.C. metro region, including seminars, workshops, access to research information, counseling and business development training.

Since 2002, she has successfully grown the BizLaunch program into a "one- stop shop" for entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds -- including, but not limited to, African Americans, Africans, Hispanics, Koreans, Vietnamese and Middle Easterners -- to ensure their success in business growth and expansion. During this period, BizLaunch has coordinated 103 workshops and influenced almost 5,000 entrepreneurs. Miles' impact on these growing companies has directly appealed to their specific needs, as she has led a network of small business service providers to conduct more than 350 one-on-one counseling sessions with BizLaunch participants.

"A champion for Northern Virginia's diversity and economic growth, Tara demonstrates pride, business savvy and professionalism," said Terry Holzheimer, director of AED. "It's no surprise to us that Tara has been recognized by SBA as a role model. We're proud of her achievements and success in growing minority small businesses in our community."

SBA's Washington Metropolitan Area District Office will recognize Tara and her fellow award winners at the Spirit of America Awards Breakfast on Thurs., May 25 from 8:30 - 11 a.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. For more information on the event and award recipients, visit http://www.sbaevents.org/2006_winners.htm

ABOUT ARLINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BIZLAUNCH

Arlington Economic Development (AED) is the department of Arlington County Government which is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of an economically vital, competitive, and sustainable community by providing aggressive leadership and superior services to the commercial, visitors and housing development sectors of Arlington's economy. AED manages BizLaunch, Arlington's small business assistance network and one-stop-shop for starting or growing a business in Arlington. BizLaunch partners with a wide variety of small business organizations to provide new small businesses with information on writing a business plan, taxes, permits, licensing, marketing, financing and growing a business in Arlington. Additionally, the BizLaunch center offers information, counseling, and research opportunities, all free of charge. For more information on AED and BizLaunch, visit http://www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/bizlaunch.

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