A national small business showcase Monday in the nation’s capital included an Arkansas brewery.
Superior Bathhouse Brewery, located in Hot Springs National Park, was one of only 14 small businesses featured at the America’s SBDC Client Showcase and Reception for members of Congress and their staffs.
The brewery, the first Arkansas business to be invited to the showcase, was recommended by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Founder and owner Rose Schweikhart has been a client of the center since 2012, the year before her business – the only brewery inside a national park – opened in the converted 1916 Superior Bathhouse on Bathhouse Row. She received help with business planning and market research and obtaining financing.
“Turning a closed bathhouse into a brewery and restaurant was a large undertaking for a young first-time entrepreneur, but Rose had the vision and the determination. Our center at Henderson State University has worked hand-in-hand with her every step of the way, and it’s wonderful to see her business flourishing,” said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “Rose is a great ambassador for Arkansas tourism and for our program.”
Schweikhart and SBB brewer Jimm Powell represented Superior at the event, which took place at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.
While talking with guests, they poured samples of their “Two in the Tank” Double Hefeweizen, brewed like all Superior’s beers with Hot Springs’ thermal spring water.
“I consider it a huge honor to be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in the America’s SBDC Client Showcase,” said Schweikhart. “It was exciting to be included in a group of extremely innovative businesses from across the country, all of which were helped by Small Business Development Centers. Every business had a unique story, but we all had one thing in common: small businesses working hard to make innovative products, create skilled jobs and generate revenue.”
Speakers at the reception included Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, and Joseph Loddo, acting SBA administrator.
The showcase was part of the America’s SBDC Legislative Meeting Feb. 4-9 in Washington. The national association of Small Business Development Centers hosts the annual week-long meeting for directors and other leaders of state and regional SBDC programs. Fine, along with Michael Singleton and Gwen Green of ASBTDC, attended.
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The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center program is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The national network of Small Business Development Centers is SBA’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses.