Mayor Benjamin Receives National Award For Leadership During 2015 Flood

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WOLO)- Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin will be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and accept his award for the 2017 Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official on Sunday in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Benjamin was selected by the SBA for his leadership during the October 2015 flood. He is one of two public officials in the nation named for the award.

“The October 2015 flood was such an incredibly devastating time for our city, but it was truly a time during which our resiliency as a city was shown,” said Mayor Benjamin. “I’m honored to receive this award, and I thank our first responders, military, city officials and residents for the collaboration that was achieved during that difficult time.”

The SBA will celebrate all of the state winners at a special ceremony on Sunday in the nation’s capital in celebration of National Small Business Week April 30 – May 6.