New Jersey’s entrepreneurial engine is taking center stage once again as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Jersey District Office names Mahwah-based business leader Sean Xu as the state’s local honoree for National Small Business Week 2026, a distinction that places him among the most impactful and forward-driving small business operators in the Garden State. The announcement, made out of the SBA’s Newark office, underscores both Xu’s individual achievement and the broader economic force of small businesses that continue to define New Jersey’s growth trajectory in an increasingly competitive national landscape.
Xu, founder and president of Tri-State Civil Construction, has built a company that reflects the evolving sophistication of New Jersey’s infrastructure and engineering sector. Operating out of Mahwah, his firm has carved out a specialized niche in deep foundation solutions, construction dewatering, groundwater treatment, and geotechnical services—disciplines that are not only technically demanding but critical to the success of large-scale public and private construction projects. In an industry where precision, reliability, and engineering expertise are paramount, Tri-State’s rise signals a new generation of small business leadership that is both highly technical and strategically scalable.
The SBA’s recognition of Xu is not simply a nod to business growth; it is a reflection of sustained operational excellence and the ability to leverage resources effectively. Through collaboration with an SBA-backed lending partner, Xu has expanded Tri-State Civil Construction’s capabilities, positioning the firm to compete on projects that demand both advanced engineering solutions and disciplined execution. The company’s leadership team, bringing together more than five decades of combined industry experience, has further strengthened its ability to deliver at a high level across complex infrastructure environments.
This recognition arrives at a moment when small businesses are playing an increasingly central role in shaping New Jersey’s economic identity. With more than 1.1 million small businesses operating across the state—representing nearly the entirety of its business ecosystem—these enterprises are responsible for employing approximately 1.9 million residents and driving a significant portion of job creation. In sectors ranging from professional services to logistics and real estate, small businesses are not only sustaining local economies but also fueling innovation and long-term development.
National Small Business Week, scheduled for May 3 through May 9, serves as the formal backdrop for this recognition, but its significance extends far beyond a single week of celebration. Since its establishment in 1963, the initiative has evolved into a national platform that highlights the foundational role of small businesses in the American economy. Today, with 36 million small businesses nationwide accounting for 99% of all companies and generating two out of every three new jobs, the event has taken on renewed importance as policymakers and industry leaders alike focus on sustaining growth in a rapidly changing economic environment.
Sean Xu’s selection as New Jersey’s honoree places him within this national narrative, connecting his work in Mahwah to a broader movement that spans every state and territory. While national award recipients will be recognized in Washington, D.C., Xu’s distinction at the state level reinforces the depth of talent and innovation emerging from New Jersey’s business community. It also highlights the critical intersection between local entrepreneurship and large-scale infrastructure development, where firms like Tri-State Civil Construction are delivering solutions that directly impact transportation, urban planning, and environmental management.
Among the projects currently associated with Tri-State’s portfolio are major infrastructure initiatives that illustrate the company’s expanding reach and technical capability. Work tied to the capacity expansion of the Van Wyck Expressway corridor, a key artery connecting to JFK Airport, reflects the firm’s involvement in projects of regional and national significance. Similarly, its role in the replacement of the Fairlawn Avenue Bridge in Fair Lawn underscores its contribution to improving transportation infrastructure within New Jersey itself. These projects are not only engineering milestones—they are economic drivers that support commerce, mobility, and long-term regional growth.
The SBA’s recognition also aligns with broader federal and state efforts to elevate small business participation in major infrastructure and development initiatives. By spotlighting companies like Tri-State Civil Construction, the agency is reinforcing the message that small businesses are not peripheral players, but essential contributors to projects that shape communities and economies. This perspective is increasingly reflected across the business landscape, including in ongoing coverage featured within the Sunset Daily business section, where the focus continues to highlight how local enterprises are scaling impact while maintaining operational agility.
SBA New Jersey District Director John Blackstock emphasized Xu’s embodiment of what it means to succeed as a small business in the state, pointing to both the company’s growth trajectory and its disciplined management structure. That combination—technical expertise paired with strategic leadership—is becoming a defining characteristic of New Jersey’s most successful small businesses, particularly in sectors that require both innovation and execution at scale.
At the national level, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler has framed this year’s Small Business Week within the broader context of America’s 250th anniversary, emphasizing a forward-looking agenda centered on growth, opportunity, and entrepreneurial strength. For New Jersey, that vision is already taking shape through businesses like Tri-State Civil Construction, where local leadership is translating into statewide and regional impact.
The weeklong celebration will also include a series of events hosted by the SBA’s New Jersey District Office, designed to connect entrepreneurs with resources, training, and opportunities for expansion. These initiatives are intended to reinforce the infrastructure that supports small business success, ensuring that emerging companies have access to the tools and guidance necessary to navigate an increasingly complex economic environment.
Within this framework, Sean Xu’s recognition stands as both an individual achievement and a broader signal of what is possible within New Jersey’s business ecosystem. It reflects a model of growth that is grounded in expertise, supported by strategic partnerships, and aligned with the evolving demands of modern infrastructure and development. As National Small Business Week approaches, his story serves as a powerful example of how local entrepreneurship can scale into meaningful, lasting impact—both within the state and across the broader national landscape.
