The owner of Doug’s Fish Fry in Cortland is being recognized as one of the top businesspeople in upstate New York.

The U.S. Small Business Administration Upstate New York District Office on Friday announced the business owner winners for National Small Business Week 2024.

Mark Braun, of Doug’s, was named Upstate District Rural Owned Small Business Person of the Year for the region that covers 34 counties in upstate and central New York.

To be nominated, the SBA said in a news release, candidates must own and operate, or bear principal responsibility of the small business for at least three years and have participated in at least one type of SBA assistance, such as access to capital, business counseling or disaster assistance. Candidates are then scored on staying power, employee growth, increase in profit the past three years, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.

“Our 2024 National Small Business Week award winners exemplify excellence, innovation and commitment, and the SBA is proud to showcase their incredible achievements and impact on their communities and our economy,” SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman said in a statement.