South Carolina’s District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA) is proud to announce Dennis Corporation President, Dan Dennis, as the 2011 Small Business Administration’s South Carolina Small Business Person of the Year. Mr. Dennis was selected for this this award due to Dennis Corporation’s staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales, financial performance, innovativeness of product or service, response to adversity, and contributions to community oriented projects. Dennis Corporation operates as a full service engineering, surveying and construction management firm.
Dennis Corporation was founded by Mr. Dennis in 2005, and currently employees ninety professionals. On receiving the award, Dan Dennis stated, “Dennis Corporation would like to dedicate this award to its employees and clients, for without their hard work and continued support, the success of the company would not be possible.”
In 2010, Dennis Corporation was presented with the challenge of funding the purchase and renovation of a downtown Columbia building for the company’s new headquarters. The company was able to secure financing with the help of NBSC, Provident Business Financial Services, The City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities and a Small Business Administration 504 loan guarantee to complete the renovations to a 14,250 square foot office building at 1800 Huger Street. Mr. Keith Black, President and CEO of Provident Business Financial Services, assisted the company with the SBA loan and also nominated Mr. Dennis for this award. In his nomination letter, Mr. Black stated, “Dennis Corporation has been responsible for creating numerous jobs around the state of South Carolina and the leadership of Dan Dennis is a model for small businesses in our state.”
During the last five years, Dennis Corporation has managed to make a significant impact on South Carolina’s economy by providing jobs, services, and giving back to the community. Dennis Corporation takes its commitment to the communities in which it works very seriously and has contributed over $250,000 to 80 charities to date.
Mr. Elliot Cooper, District Director of the Small Business Administration South Carolina District Office, said of Mr. Dennis, “Your foresight and tenacity fueled your company’s phenomenal growth, and you used its growth to create good jobs and invest in your community.”
An award ceremony will be held in Columbia on May 4, 2011 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in conjunction with the 2011 Salute to Small Business. Mr. Dennis will compete for the title of National Small Business Person of the Year during the SBA’s National Small Business Week held from May 18-20, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Dennis Corporation is a South Carolina licensed civil engineering, surveying and construction management firm. Dennis Corporation’s specific fields of expertise include water, sewer, roads, bridges, buildings, airports and other infrastructure.