Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) presented Beacon Hotel owners and Oswego residents Atom and Falecia Avery with a state resolution, congratulating them on receiving the 2014 Small Business Excellence Award. The couple founded the 14-room hotel in 2011 after completing extensive renovations.

“Local, small business is a large part of our economy. I’m proud that our very own Beacon Hotel has been recognized. Businesses like the Beacon Hotel are the backbone of our economy and should be supported by the local community,” said Barclay.

The 14-room hotel, located in Oswego’s Historic Franklin Square District, pays tribute to Oswego’s rich history. The Small Business Excellence Award showcases those local businesses of Upstate New York. The U. S. Small Business Administration and the New York Business Development Corporation, along with area lenders and economic development organizations, make selections for the excellence award.

According to the New York State Small Business Development Center (NYSSBDC), there are more than two million small businesses in New York. As of 2008, small businesses employed 51.4% of New York’s non-farm, private sector workforce. To read the resolution, visit http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?sh=printbill&bn=J5542.