Here at Dogfish Head, we've hired about a person a week for the past two years, and on Monday, the U.S. Small Business Administration dropped by to say thanks.
We were named an SBA 100 company for creating 100 or more jobs since receiving SBA support.
The SBA's Jayne Armstrong chats with Dogfish President and Founder Sam Calagione and U.S. Rep. John Carney.
In 1997, when Dogfish was one of the smallest craft breweries in the country, President and Founder Sam Calagione secured a $208,000 SBA-guaranteed loan. He put the money to good use, and we're now the 11th largest craft brewery in the U.S. and support more than 200 co-workers.
"While a lot of companies are shrinking or are looking to do more with less, we're looking to operate not so leanly," said Dogfish HR Director Cindy Dunson. "We don't want to be fat, but we want to be healthy. Our departments need some junk in the trunk."
U.S. Rep. John Carney, who visited the Milton brewery Monday, said helping small businesses develop is a critical part of strengthening the economy.
"I applaud the SBA for providing the resources that helped make Sam and Dogfish Head a success," he said. "That investment has benefited more than 100 workers and their families here in Delaware."
Sam agreed, putting a twist on a famous JFK quote.
"Ask not what the economy can do for you, ask what you can do for the economy," he said. "It's up to small businesses and the people who choose to work at small businesses to right this ship."
The only other company in Delaware that the SBA honored was another a brewery, our friends at Iron Hill. Go, craft beer, go.
We have about a dozen job openings and plan to continue to grow our off-centered work force. If you're interested, please get in touch. Cheers!
