The owner of a business that specializes in helping hard-to-employ people find good jobs has been honored by the U.S. Small Business Association.

Margo Walsh, owner of MaineWorks in Portland, has been selected to receive the SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year award for Maine.

“Passion and commitment are what make successful small businesses, and Margo has shown both with MaineWorks,” said Marilyn Geroux, SBA district director for Maine, in a release. “The growth of MaineWorks over the past few years is truly remarkable, and we could not be happier for Margo.”

The firm is a temporary employment agency specializing in construction, bridge and road building. It provides supported employment for people in recovery from substance abuse, those re-entering the job force after being incarcerated and veterans.

Walsh received help from the Portland Chapter of SCORE, a business mentoring program. The company also received SBA loan assistance through Peoples United Bank.

“Margo Walsh embodies the true entrepreneurial spirit of Maine,” said Nancy Stronjy, chapter chair of Portland SCORE, which made the nomination. “She created a company that combines a social mission with a for-profit enterprise.”

The SBA also honored Michelle Ann Hanson of Frederick’s Southside in Caribou as its Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year, and William K. Wedge, president of Will’s Shop ‘n Save in Dover-Foxcroft, was named Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year for Maine and New England.

The honorees will be recognized at an SBA reception on May 4 at the Augusta Civic Center.