award serves to recognize the

award serves to recognize the deep sense of indebtedness to all veterans for their service to their country and to their respective communities. Each SBDC in Virginia recognizes an individual in their service area; the local winners are then nominated for a statewide award that is presented in Richmond in March 2006.

The local winner will be presented at the chamber’s Award Dinner and Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors and members of the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce last year nominated Mr. Michael L. Cauldwell for the award. Cauldwell went on to be one of the five finalists in the state competition. Karen Henderson, Executive Director of the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce, stated in her letter of recommendation: “Mr. Cauldwell has been an inspiring example for many small businesses. He has helped Command Technologies grow from a small staff with big dreams to a nationally recognized organizall^.i and a respected government contractor. Mr. Cauldwell has been extremely innovative and successful, not only with his own business, but also in his promotion of other small businesses in Warren ton.”

The winner should be a local business person recognized as making a significant contribution to the local and state’s economy through their community and business involvement. Nominations can be submitted to the chamber at P.O. Box 127, Warrenton, Virginia 20188 or to the Lord Fairfax SBDC office at 6480 College Street, Warrenton, Virginia USDA increases loan

limits for rural housing in this area

Rural Development/USDA has received an area-wide increase in the maximum loan limits. Effective October 1, 2005 for the Direct Loan Program, the maximum loan limits for home mortgages in Rappahannock County have increased.

Alan Knewstep, the Rural Development Manager in