Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has been named a 2022 Phoenix Award Champion by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

In a news release issued on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced Mayor Hunter’s selection as the Phoenix Award Champion for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official.

In the announcement the SBA recognized Mayor Hunter’s love for the City of Lake Charles that has motivated him to help residents rebuild and recover from Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Winter Storm Uri and the May 2021 Flood. The announcement states, “through careful coordination with federal and state agencies, the most pessimistic predictions for reopening the city were averted. Due to Mayor Hunter’s work in conjunction with other local elected officials, he became the regional voice for thousands of citizens, not only in Lake Charles, but also in the surrounding parishes.”

“This is an incredible honor,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “As partner in a locally-owned small business, words fail to describe how it feels to be recognized by the SBA with this prestigious award. The City of Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana have experienced some of the most difficult, humbling days over the past couple of years and I am thankful for the faith this community has placed in me to lead our community through these challenges. I am excited about the progress made and look forward to brighter days for us all.”

Also recognized for his work towards building back as a more resilient community, the SBA cites Mayor Hunter’s tireless work ethic as part of the ongoing cleanup and recovery from back-to-back hurricanes in the midst of economic struggles resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Honorees will be recognized during a virtual event scheduled to take place during National Small Business Week: Building a Better America through Entrepreneurship, May 1-7, 2022.

For more information on the SBA Phoenix Award Champions, visit SBA Honors 2022 Phoenix Award Champions for Outstanding (globenewswire.com).

For the latest updates on the City of Lake Charles, visit www.cityoflakecharles.com and follow www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesLouisiana.

Mayor Hunter

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has been named a 2022 Phoenix Award Champion by the Small Business Administration. Here, he is pictured addressing the City of Lake Charles after being sworn in for a second mayoral term on July 1, 2021.