AKWESASNE – AM Equipment LLC was recently honored as the SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 2024 Growth Company of the Year. The award was presented to owner Andre White by New York SBDC State Director Sonya Smith at a reception on Thursday, September 26, in Akwesasne. 

White was selected from more than 23,000 SBDC clients served in 2023 by 22 centers across New York State for leading AME in exponential growth over the past two years. "Andre has taken advantage of every opportunity to grow his company continuously," said SUNY Canton SBDC Business Advisor Michelle Collins, who has worked with White since 2011. "It is wonderful to see Andre recognized for the years of hard work that have gone into making AME a successful business."

AM Equipment was founded by White in 2009 on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation of Akwesasne and has grown to employ more than 25 people. The company is a full-service construction company offering site work, concrete work, full-service building construction, road construction and utility construction in both Massachusetts and New York. 

In presenting the award, Smith stated, "The SBDC's role in guiding Andre has been instrumental in his success. It's a reminder of how vital resources like the SBDC are for small businesses, particularly those from underserved communities. Andre's vision, combined with the support of the SBDC, is a perfect example of what can happen when we invest in small businesses."

The New York SBDC provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost. In 2023, the SUNY Canton SBDC assisted more than 500 businesses, which, through SBDC assistance, realized $8.9 million in economic impact and created or saved more than 1,200 jobs.