BUSINESS

Friday, September 15, 2006

PIERRE - A Pierre resident will be presented with a business award Monday, September 18th, in recognition of his company's support of South Dakota minorities. The United States Small Business Administration announced in a press release this week that Robert Laurenz, president of Dakota 2000, Inc., of Pierre, has been named the 2006 minority small business person of the year for South Dakota.  The award was part of the 24th National Minority Enterprise Development Week, celebrated annually in Washington, D.C., to highlight the contributions minority small businesses make to the nation's economy.

"The SBA is proud to recognize Robert Laurenz for his business success and tremendous contributions to the growth of minority businesses," said John Brown, district director of SBA's South Dakota office.

Dakota 2000, located at 207 E. Missouri Avenue, is an American Indian-owned company that supports commercial, federal, state, local and tribal government agencies with information technology services.  Founded in September 1995, the company has experienced solid growth and sells millions in goods and services annually.  Dakota 2000 has participated in the SBA's 8(a) program for eight years and has successfully completed contracts with several government agencies.

Laurenz was born and raised on a ranch in central South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and is still active in the operations of the family ranch.  As a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Laurenz is dedicated to improving the economic and social conditions in Indian Country.

"I firmly believe developing the information technology infrastructure in Indian Country will lead to improved economic conditions," Laurenz told the SBA.  "Dakota 2000 does about 50 percent of its work in Indian Country for federal and tribal agencies.

Laurenz will be presented with his award in Pierre on Monday, September 18th, with additional recognition during SBA's Small Business Week next spring.

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