The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) proudly announces that Michelle Spriggs, Center Director of the Kentucky SBDC in Eastern Kentucky, has been selected as the 2025 Kentucky SBDC State Star. 

The prestigious State Star Award recognizes outstanding achievements, exemplary performance, and exceptional dedication to the small business community throughout the country. Each year, this honor is given to an individual within each SBDC network who demonstrates excellence and significant contributions to their communities. 

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” said Spriggs. “Since joining the Kentucky SBDC in 2009, it has been a privilege to work alongside the incredible small business owners who are the heartbeat of our economy. Supporting their growth and resilience has been the most fulfilling part of my career, as helping small businesses thrive not only strengthens our communities today but also lays the foundation for a better, more sustainable future for generations to come.” 

Kentucky SBDC State Director Kristina Joyce praised Spriggs’s accomplishments.  

“We are incredibly proud of Michelle’s accomplishments and the entire SBDC network,” said Joyce. “The State Star award reflects Michelle’s hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence and the small business community. America’s SBDC State Stars represent the very best — individuals who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact. Michelle Spriggs exemplifies this standard through her unwavering dedication to Kentucky’s small businesses, particularly in the Appalachian region, and we are absolutely thrilled for her.” 

Spriggs will be formally recognized among her peers at the America’s SBDC national conference this fall in Orlando, Florida, where recipients from across the country will gather to celebrate their collective achievements. 

Kentucky SBDC 

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been assisting the commonwealth’s small business community for over 40 years. With centers statewide and an experienced and knowledgeable staff, the Kentucky SBDC provides unparalleled business coaching and training services at no cost to help existing business owners and potential entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed.  

Kentucky SBDC services include one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, access to market research, loan packaging help, assistance with financial projections and information needed to make informed business decisions.   

Kentucky SBDC is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is administered by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in partnership with regional academic institutions, economic development organizations, the private sector and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

SBA 

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

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Writer: Ryan Ferguson, rferguson@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Kentucky SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA.