EPHRAIM-- Alan Christensen, director of the Small Busoiness Development Center (SBDC) at Ephraim Snow College and Assistant Director at Richfield campus Keith Church, were selected to receive the prestigious Utah District U.S. Small Business Administration Award for the Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award of the Year.

Christensen, Church and several other award winners were honored at an awards luncheon May 4, at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Salt Lake City. Stan Nakano, district director of SBAs Utah District Office, said, "This year's winners are an excellent group of champion winners who are dedicated to supporting the causes of small businesses in their communities and in the state."

The criteria for the award includes creating and developing innovative events and or programs, publications, research materials and online applications to enhance small business awareness and solutions; being advocates for SBA, SBDC and the small business community; and preparing local SBDC center for success by actively participating with the state SBDC office in the development and execution of the strategic plan and professional development of SBDC counselors.

Christensen and Church are being recognized at a time when many small businesses across the country have encountered economic and financial hardship.