Three area businesses honored at state Capitol

Leaders of three small businesses in Columbia- Alan McClure, president of Patric Chocolate; Keeshab Gangopadhyay and Shubra Gangopadhyay, co-presidents of NEMS/MEMS WORKS LLC; and Hao Li, founder and head of Nanova-were honored by members of the Missouri General Assembly on Jan. 30

McClure, the Gangopadhyays and Li were among representatives of 18 small businesses recognized in the Capitol rotunda at the annual Client Showcase sponsored by the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (MO SBDC) and the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (MO PTAC).

The showcase honors outstanding small businesses and the impact their enterprises have on the economic development of their local areas and the state of Missouri. MO SBDC and MO PTAC are part of the University of Missouri Extension’s Business Development Program. During the showcase, participants discussed their products and services and received legislative resolutions honoring the positive impact of their enterprises on the state’s economy.

“This showcase provides a venue to demonstrate the importance of Missouri’s small businesses to the economic vitality of the state,” says Steve Wyatt, director of MU Extension’s Business Development Program.