State honors 3 area firms for innovation, growth

Three area companies were among 16 statewide recognized by the Kansas Small Business Development Center.

Leading Edge Aerospace in Wichita and Walter’s Pumpkin Patch near El Dorado were among eight small firms in Kansas to receive a 2015 Existing Business of the Year award from the Kansas SBDC.

ReJuvv Spa in Winfield received a 2015 Emerging Business of the Year award, one of eight companies in Kansas that received the award.

The 16 companies were recognized in a ceremony earlier this month in Topeka.

Kansas SBDC said the companies were selected from a field of 2,392 businesses that used its services in 2014.

“The selected businesses were given careful consideration by our Kansas SBDC regional directors and consultants,” said Greg Panichello, Kansas SBDC state director, in a statement. “Collectively, the Kansas SBDC team feels these 16 small businesses are excellent examples of small business innovation, growth, and success in the midst of economic recovery.”

Kansas SBDC, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the state of Kansas, operates eight regional offices, including one in Wichita.

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 2:05 PM with the headline "State honors 3 area firms for innovation, growth."