MSBA Taking Nominations for Small Business Week Awards

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BOSTON, Mass. – The Massachusetts District Office of the Small Business Administration is accepting nominations for the 2023 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year Award.

"Every year since 1963, National Small Business Week has been recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners," said District Director Robert Nelson. "Nominate a small business making a difference and help us identify success stories from our local communities."

Visit the SBA’s dedicated website at www.sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria, and guidelines for submitting a National nomination. The Massachusetts District Office award categories and guidelines can be found on the district’s website under "From our office" at www.sba.gov/ma

The SBA Awards given in celebration of National and District Small Business Week include the following awards:

Massachusetts District Small Business Week Categories:

  • Small Business Person of the Year (National and District)
  • Small Business Exporter (National and District)
  • Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
  • Minority Small Business Owner
  • Veteran Small Business Owner
  • Women Small Business Owner
  • Microenterprise
  • Young Entrepreneur
  • Small Business Manufacturer
  • Homebased Business Owner
  • Financial Services Champion

The Massachusetts District Office must receive all nominations by electronic submission ONLY to the District’s BOX account found at www.sba.gov/nsbw no later 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 8, 2022.

To obtain additional information, please contact Norman Eng at: norman.eng@sba.gov


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Pittsfield Man Sentenced On Multiple Rape, Indecent Assault Charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Wednesday, May 15 Douglas Agyeh, age 44 ofPittsfield, pleaded guilty to 23 charges. 
 
Agyeh pleaded guilty to:
  • 5 counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Over 14
  • 9 counts of Rape of a Child with Force
  • 9 counts of Rape of a Child, Aggravated by Age
The Defendant was sentenced to 10 to 12 years for the charges of rape and 3 to 5 years concurrent for the charges of indecent assault and battery. The Defendant will serve his sentence in state prison.
 
According to a report, in 2021 Agyeh was employed at a residential school for youth. Over a period of several weeks Agyeh was responsible for monitoring a student's safety as they (singular) slept.  During this time, he raped the student. In a separate incident, Agyeh was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a student under the guise of helping the student fold their (singular) laundry.
 
The Defendant was originally set to stand trial on January 30, 2023 but fled to Canada in attempt to avoid justice. The Defendant was arrested as he entered Canda. The Berkshire District Attorney's Office worked closely with the United States Department of Justice and Canadian authorities to successfully extradite the Defendant back to Massachusetts. Authorities allege the Defendant was traveling to Canda in an attempt to return to Ghana, Agyeh's native country.
 
The Great Barrington Police Department served as the lead law enforcement agency in the case. The Department of Justice and Canadian law enforcement agencies assisted the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, including the State Police Detective Unit, in the extradition of the Defendant.
 
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Giarolo represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as a victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center played a central role in the investigation. Emily Zoltan was the Multidisciplinary Team Leader in coordinating the law enforcement response.
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