MARION COUNTY, W.Va (WDTV) - Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration's West Virginia office celebrated district and regional 2018 Small Business Week winners at a luncheon in Fairmont Wednesday.

President Donald Trump has declared April 29 through May 5 as Small Business Week, keeping with a tradition held since 1963.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R) and Congressman David McKinley (R) were among the speakers there to honor local entrepreneurs and business owners.

"[Small businesses] are the economic engines that drive the economy," said Michelle Christian, SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. "They are the root of the community. Two of every three jobs come from a small business, so small businesses really are the engine."

Christian, who was appointed to her position by the White House in February, touted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as President Trump's pledge to cut regulations, as measures that spur growth for small businesses.

"For every two new regulations, there's one that's being reduced, and the tax cuts are allowing these small businesses to expand," said Christian. "So, we're looking forward to more growth in the coming years."

The country's nearly 30 million small businesses employ almost half of all U.S. workers.

5 News spoke to one of Wednesday's winners, Arria Hines, CEO of Allegheny Science & Technology Corporation. She credited the SBA for its hands-on approach with new and seasoned small businesses.

"You don't have all the answers--no one does--when you start a business," said Hines, who was awarded the Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year. "And the Small Business Administration has worked with so many small businesses in commercial and government contracting, and they know a lot of the tricks of the trade that you as a new business owner don't know."

"They've been so special to me and so important in my success," Hines continued. "They're there every step of the way. I've been able to have reach-back when I've had questions about contracts or about customers or anything of that nature."

The event was held at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center in Fairmont.