The Tennessee Small Business Development Center has awarded Landy Fuqua, director of the University of Tennessee at Martin Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center, the 2019 Tennessee State Star Award.

Fuqua was announced as the Tennessee winner during a national reception Sept. 3 as part of the 39<sup>th</sup>-annual America’s Small Business Development Center National Conference in Long Beach, California. The annual award recognizes a top performer from each state network who demonstrates a strong commitment to small businesses and makes significant contributions to the state’s SBDC network.

“Thank you to those who chose me as the Tennessee State Star,” said Fuqua when she accepted the award. “I want to thank my family and staff for their support and our center’s small business owners for utilizing and promoting our services. It is rewarding to be honored for the career that you love.”

Fuqua has led the UT Martin REED Center for eight years, during which time the center’s clients reported 654 jobs created and an excess of $25 million in economic impact.

“Landy pours her heart into this region and the small business owners and entrepreneurs who seek the REED Center’s assistance,” said Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor. “I am proud to call her a member of the UT Martin family.”

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is celebrating 35 years of statewide service and has headquarters on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

For more information, contact Fuqua at 731-587-7333 or <a href="mailto:lfuqua@utm.edu">lfuqua@utm.edu</a>.

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