MARQUETTE — Among the 135 lending institutions in the state of Michigan, Northern Initiatives has been selected to receive the 2016 Small Business Administration District Director’s Award. It recognizes Northern Initiatives as the most active SBA Community Advantage lender in the state, according to a press release from NI.

“This statewide achievement would not have been possible without the many small businesses that contributed to our $5.5 million in loans last year, including Zephyr Wine Bar in Marquette, Roz’s Diner in Rosebush, Paddle Hard Brewing in Grayling and Gaijin Restaurant in Traverse City, to name a few,” the release from NI said.