AMHERST — Summerlin Floors has been awarded the official woman-owned business certificate from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs.

Summerlin Floors has been busy during the COVID-19 pandemic, completing the certification process and reaching its goal of achieving the woman-owned business certificate, along with announcing a new scholarship that will be awarded to a woman of color.

To achieve WBENC certification, woman-owned businesses complete a formal documentation and site-visit process administered by one of WBENC’s 14 regional partner organizations. The WBENC certification gives woman-owned businesses the ability to compete for real-time business opportunities provided by WBENC corporate members and government agencies.

Applicants must answer pre-qualifying questions in order to determine if the minimum requirements for certification are met. To be certified, management and daily operation must be controlled by one or more women. WBENC uses a two-part process to ensure that the applicant company meets WBENC standards. This includes a thorough review of the documentation presented and a site-visit interview with the female owner or owners.

WBENC certification validates that Summerlin Floors is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Its goal is to ensure women business owners have access to the education, support, and tools they need to grow and succeed — a goal similar to that of Summerlin Floors, as Summerlin aims to expand the available opportunities that exist for students in the local community. To give back to the community and future generations, the company launched a new scholarship last month, awarding a $2,500 scholarship to a woman of color pursuing a degree in business at Greenfield Community College (GCC). For more information and to apply for this scholarship, contact the GCC Admissions Office at www.gcc.mass.edu/admissions or (413) 775-1801.

“The personal touch and culture I bring to my company is extremely important to me, and I’m grateful to be recognized for those efforts by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council,” said Ann Bronner, owner of Summerlin Floors. “This world-class woman-owned business certification will provide me with invaluable training and networking opportunities that’ll help me continue to make a positive impact on my company. We have an amazing team at Summerlin Floors, and it is a priority of mine to make sure I create the best possible environment for them.”

AMHERST — Summerlin Floors, a woman-owned flooring business, announced a new scholarship opportunity for a woman of color pursuing a Greenfield Community College (GCC) degree in business. The goal for this scholarship is to expand the available opportunities that exist for students in the local community.

Summerlin Floors will award a $2,500 scholarship to a woman of color pursuing a degree in business at GCC. Company owner Ann Bronner and her daughter Lori Zumbruski, who is also a part of the Summerlin Floors team, created this scholarship in memory of Ann’s daughter Erin, whom they lost in 2018.

“A woman achieving a college degree has a multi-generational impact that goes beyond her. And when one thinks of the wage gap, we know that this gift from Ann Bronner of Summerlin Floors will be transformative for one of our students and generations to come,” said Yves Salomon-Fernández, president of Greenfield Community College. “We’re so grateful that Ms. Bronner is investing in our students.”

A recipient will be chosen this month. For more information and to apply for this scholarship, contact the GCC Admissions Office at www.gcc.mass.edu/admissions or call (413) 775-1801.

“For many, entrepreneurship is the only option for survival,” said Michelle Barthelemy, chair of the GCC Business Department. “It provides new beginnings and new opportunities for the entrepreneur and their family.”

Bronner is a Greenfield Community College alum herself. Her goal is to support the next generation of scholars and give back to the GCC community. The intention in launching this scholarship is to help prepare the recipient for the next steps in her college education.

“Greenfield Community College was a pivotal part of my life,” Bronner said. “GCC is an incredibly welcoming environment for its diverse student body. The professors, faculty, and administration created an inspiring and enriching experience for me, and now is my opportunity to give back.”