SUPERIOR, Wis. —Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, has announced that Wisconsin’s 2023 Small Business Persons of the Year are Steven Potter, Peggi Potter, and Chuck Potter of Arctic Compressor LLC in Superior. They are among more than 50 winners selected from each of the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Administrator Guzman will recognize the Potters during National Small Business Week awards ceremonies in Washington, D.C. April 30 and May 1. Later that week, SBA’s Wisconsin District Director Eric Ness will present the 2023 Wisconsin SBA Small Business Persons of the Year award at Arctic Compressor’s facility in Superior on May 5.
Eric Ness congratulated them, saying, “The Potter family has thoughtfully and intentionally built a business that has become a multi-generational success. Steven Potter’s regular consultation with skilled SBA-backed small business advisors with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center and SCORE has enabled Arctic Compressor to flourish, benefitting the company, its employees and the community.” The company was nominated for the award by Andy Donahue, center director for the SBDC at UW-Superior.
Steven Potter, president and founder of Arctic Compressor, will also speak on a panel discussion with other SBA Wisconsin National Small Business Week award winners, moderated by District Director Ness, as the final event of the Lt. Governor’s Small Business Academy hosted virtually by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) May 2-5. Registration is free and open now for the panel discussion May 5 and for the Small Business Academy’s training sessions.
Peggi and Chuck Potter founded Northshore Compressor in 1986 to distribute specialized air compressors which deliver critical air to firefighters. They began manufacturing in 2008, moved those operations from Minnesota to Wisconsin in 2018 and created a new company, Arctic Compressor. Son Steven Potter now leads Arctic as president. In late 2017, Steve teamed with advisors from two SBA resource partners, the SBDC at UW-Superior and SCORE in Brainerd, Minn. The team met monthly to identify growth and business development opportunities, with dramatic results: Arctic’s sales territory has expanded nearly nationwide, sales more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, and net worth increased even more. Employment nearly tripled by 2023. Its plant has also nearly tripled in size with a move to a new facility planned this year. Steve has also implemented employee profit-sharing. A PPP loan helped address pandemic challenges when onsite work moved to video and phone calls. Read more about Arctic Compressor’s work with SCORE and the SBDC here.
For updates, follow SBA Wisconsin on Twitter at @SBA_Wisconsin. Small businesses and supporters can also follow, use, and share hashtag #SmallBusinessWeek, and #SmallBizAcademyWI for the Wisconsin conference, on all social channels.
About National Small Business Week
For 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness. And in recognizing the changing face of America, the SBA’s National Small Business Week awards honor individuals and businesses that reflect our nation’s rich diversity. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.
