Small Business Administration Honors Black Hills Businesses

Story by Andy Greenman / Photos by Brandis Knudsen

Two businesses in the Black Hills received awards from the South Dakota Small Business Administration (SBA) on September 22. The awards are presented during National Small Business Week — an annual celebration of small business owners.

Rob Hrabe, co-founder of VRC Metal Systems, received the Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. The metal company has added 20 jobs since relocating to Box Elder over a year ago. They are continuing to expand and expect to have over 100 employees next summer.

Laura A. Bonsness, founder of About You Physical Therapy in Rapid City, was awarded the Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Bonsness opened her business in 2011 and is one of the most specialized physical therapy clinics in the region.

“In addition to the tenacity and grit of these businesses, much of their success has been navigated by leveraging local, state, and federal resources like the Small Business Development Center, SBA guaranteed lending, Elevate Rapid City and the Ascent Innovation Center, Small Business Innovation and Research funding, federal contracting assistance, and more,” said Jaime Wood, SBA South Dakota District Director.

"Every step of the way, we’ve collectively been there for these businesses and their success is a win for the entire ecosystem,” Wood added.

For additional information on National Small Business Week, please visit sba.gov/NSBW.

About You Physical Therapy in Rapid City was awarded 2020 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration.