[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING SUNDANCE CONSULTING, INC.

 Mr. RISCH. Madam President, Idaho is known for its rolling 
foothills, crystal clear rivers and streams, and of course some 
exquisite mountains. Idahoans embrace these treasures across our State 
and are committed to keeping these natural resources pristine for the 
next generation. This commitment to maintaining our public lands 
contributes to an abundance of innovation and creativity in the natural 
resources space in my home State. As chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my distinct pleasure to 
recognize Sundance Consulting, Inc., as the Small Business of the Month 
for May 2018. Sundance Consulting, Inc.'s work on important 
environmental and natural resource-related issues exemplifies Idaho's 
entrepreneurial spirit and stewardship of our environment.
  After 19 years of working for the Native American Lands Environmental 
Mitigation Program as a consultant focused on addressing environmental 
problems related to previous Department of Defense activities, 
September Myres founded Sundance Consulting, Inc., in 2005. She founded 
Sundance with a vision to provide solutions to the environmental 
challenges faced by Native Americans and Native Alaskans alike. Raised 
on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Idaho, Ms. Myres has a keen 
understanding of the unique environmental issues that tribes face. With 
her background and experience in Tribal lands, Ms. Myres is uniquely 
positioned to implement innovative solutions to ongoing environmental 
problems in these communities. Among the solutions that September 
provides are general consulting services, environmental site 
assessments, site investigations, radioactive waste retrieval, process 
optimization, and soil and water sampling, all of which help clients 
understand the environment they are working in and ways to mitigate any 
potentially harmful activities.
  Under Ms. Myres' exceptional leadership, Sundance Consulting has 
grown from a sole proprietorship to a firm of more than 50 employees. 
The company is headquartered in Pocatello, ID, with eight satellite 
offices across the Nation. From 2011 to 2016, Sundance increased their 
revenue by $10 million and hired an additional 50 employees. The firm's 
continued growth has been a product of its growing client base. From 
its original focus on tribal clients to today's diverse portfolio of 
Federal, State, and commercial clients, Sundance prides itself on 
delivering quality advice and planning services on-time and under 
budget, while protecting the environment. Over time, the company has 
expanded its offerings to include public outreach and liaison services 
that help to build consensus and increase public participation in the 
planning of client projects. Over its 13 years in business Sundance has 
earned a reputation of excellence in their field by bringing diverse 
organizations together to create environmental solutions.
  In 2008, Sundance began utilizing the SBA 8(a) Business Development 
Program, a 9-year certification program that helps small, disadvantaged 
businesses compete for government contracts. The program provided Ms. 
Myres with the tools and knowledge required to grow her business. 
Sundance's success has allowed the company to give back to their local 
community in Idaho. Every year, the company provides school supplies 
and backpacks to children in need, through a charity drive in Chubbuck, 
ID. Additionally, Sundance provides scholarships to Native American 
students going in to the science, technology, engineering, or 
mathematics fields.
  The company's high standards and good reputation have led to 
recognition from the environmental and small business communities. The 
Environmental Business Journal noted Sundance's incredible growth and 
economic success in environmental consulting. In 2016, the Journal 
awarded Sundance the 19th Annual Small Firms Award for Achievement. Due 
to her success as an entrepreneur and her commitment to environmental 
preservation, the Small Business Administration honored Ms. Myres as 
the 2018 Idaho Small Business Person of the Year during National Small 
Business Week for demonstrating growth, innovation, and perseverance in 
the face of adversity.
  Innovation, growth, and commitment to quality are the hallmarks of 
Sundance Consulting's success. The company's continual commitment to 
helping communities exemplifies how small businesses are in a unique 
position to make a profit and make a difference. Sundance is a true 
inspiration to innovators and small businesses across the Nation for 
their incredible success. I would like to extend my sincerest 
congratulations to September Myres and all of the employees at Sundance 
Consulting, Inc., for being selected as the May 2018 Small Business of 
the Month. You make our great State of Idaho proud, and I look forward 
to watching your continued growth and success.

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