Lone Star College System’s annual Small Business of the Year Awards dinner has been canceled this year in response to damage from Hurricane Harvey, according to a press release from Miguel Lopez, LSCS’s Small Business Development Center executive director.

“Making the decision to not have the dinner was not easy as we feel it is important to recognize and celebrate the successes of our small businesses,” Lopez said. “It is the success of these businesses, coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit of the business owners, that serve a key role in achieving the American dream.”

Instead of the banquet, the SBDC will host a luncheon honoring all small businesses nominated for awards this year. No winners will be announced, but Lopez said the business owners will be celebrated for their perseverance and strength shown during this time.

“In light of the storm and the severity of the damage to thousands across the area, we are cancelling our Lone Star College SBDC Small Business of the Year Awards Dinner this year so that the SBDC can fully focus on assisting our small businesses throughout our service area.”

The SBDC is partnering with the National Small Business Administration to operate a Business Recovery Center out of the LSC-University Park campus, Lopez said.

An exact date has not been set for the luncheon, but updates can be found at www.facebook.com/LoneStarCollegeSBDC.