SBA NAMES 2008 ALABAMA SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
WETUMPKA – Lynn Carter, Owner, Southeast Cherokee Construction, Inc., in Wetumpka, AL has been named 2008 Alabama Small Business Person of the Year.
Mrs. Carter was nominated by the Troy State Small Business Development Center, Troy, AL. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the business community as well as in community service. Mrs. Carter has gone beyond the minimum requirements to receive such recognition. The Small Business Administration, Alabama District, is very proud to present this distinguished award to Southeast Cherokee Construction, Inc.
Southeast Cherokee Construction began operations in 1983 by Mrs. Carter’s mother. In 1987, Carter’s life changed drastically. When her Mother, Jean Matthews, passed away, Carter suddenly became president of Southeast Cherokee Construction.
Through Carter’s desire and determination to continue and grow the business her Mother started, she began pursing all opportunities the company could explore. In 1999, the company received SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program for the past 9 years and the designation of a HubZone firm and Small Disadvantaged Business certification. Through these certifications, Southeast Cherokee’s Vertical Division has expanded its business through federal procurement opportunities with numerous branches of The Department of Defense and The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, providing turnkey construction capabilities.
In addition to federal projects, the company’s Horizontal Division has built several Department of Transportation highway projects as both a Prime and a Subcontractor. Southeast Cherokee has also built golf courses, runway expansions, wastewater treatment facilities, solid waste landfills, subdivisions and numerous commercial building developments for private sector clients. These projects include massive earth moving operations, storm drainage, underground utilities, asphalt and concrete paving, curb and gutter.
As business has boomed for the company, so has the company’s work force, from 12 employees initially to 73 today. Mrs. Carter maintains that “the success of the company is the result of persistence, countless hours of travel, and my faith that ‘I can to all things through Christ who strengthens me’.”
Small Business Administration looks forward to watching and helping the continued growth of Southeast Cherokee Construction, Inc.
