The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is inviting small business owners nationwide to join in its Freedom 250 Small Business Pledge to celebrate 250 years of independence, entrepreneurship, and the enduring spirit of free enterprise.
The Freedom 250 initiative serves as a tribute to the record number of American entrepreneurs, manufacturers, Main Street shops, family-owned companies, and innovators who serve as the engine of the national economy. Those small businesses signing the pledge will receive an official Freedom 250 certificate from the SBA.
“I believe the true heart of America’s 250-year journey lives right here in the sheer hustle and grit of our local business owners,” Brad Zaun, the regional administrator for the SBA’s Great Plains Region, said in a recent news release. “This pledge isn’t about an administrative process; it’s about celebrating you—the families and entrepreneurs supporting our region every single day.”
Mr. Zaun’s Great Plans Region covers Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. A former council member and mayor of Urbandale, Iowa, he also championed small business in the Iowa State Senate from 2005 to 2025. Small businesses in Illinois are served by the SBA’s Great Lakes Region, which also includes Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The national SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a separate release that the pledge serves as a chance for “America’s entrepreneurs to proudly stand behind the values of free enterprise, hard work, and the pursuit of the American dream.”
Ms. Loeffler, the 28th SBA administrator and a former U.S. senator from Georgia, added that small businesses are leading the way in the nation’s growth and strength. “The Trump SBA is proud to celebrate every small business that is growing in America, hiring in America, innovating in America, and carrying forward the spirit that has defined America free enterprise for 250 years.”
Freedom pledge benefits
All small businesses nationwide are encouraged to sign up by visiting the portal here. By signing, participating small businesses will:
- Earn an official Freedom 250 certificate from the SBA.
- Gain national recognition as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
- Join a national network of entrepreneurs committed to American free enterprise.
- Showcase their commitment to economic growth, innovation, and job creation.
The SBA and its 10 nationwide regions serve as the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government. It provides resources and support to job creators looking to start, grow, and expand their businesses as well as recover from a declared disaster. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Mr. Zahn urged all small businesses across the four-state Great Plains region to participate and be recognized for the vital work they do everyday. “Our data shows that when our local neighborhoods have the breathing room to grow, the whole community thrives,” he said.
