Abilene ? Dwight D. Eisenhower was introduced to business at an early age, when he sold vegetables in Abilene, where he grew up, the late president’s granddaughter said at a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Business Administration.

“He so very much believed in helping people to start (businesses) and in giving them the chance,” said Mary Eisenhower of Overland Park, who accepted the original document that her grandfather signed on July 30, 1953, creating the Small Business Administration, during a ceremony Friday.

The document will be on display at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene until Nov. 1.

It was a big day for Jana Getz, of Lawrence, who co-owns Getz IGA in Hoxie with her husband, Kirk. He could not attend Friday’s events, but Jana Getz and five other family members were honored guests.

Kirk was a partner in the business with his father, Robert, for 20 years. Robert Getz received a $75,000 guaranteed loan from the SBA in 1958 that helped him expand the grocery store.

Politicians, including State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins and Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, and SBA representatives, including Administrator Hector Barreto, were among the hundreds of people at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum for Friday’s celebration.

“A small federal agency might have seemed like a footnote,” Barreto said, “but the SBA has meant much to millions of entrepreneurs.”

The agency has helped nearly 20 million small businesses — from mom-and-pop stores to Apple Computer and Federal Express — since the Small Business Act was signed into law.

The SBA is sorely needed during a down economy, said Debra J. Peters, general manager of Beloit-based Four Rivers Development, which helps people apply to the federal agency for small-business financing in 10 counties of north-central Kansas. Peters’ company helps with about 10 loans a year of $200,000 to $300,000 each.

“There’s more demand for our services,” she said, because the SBA guarantees loans up to 75 percent, reducing the risk for banks and other lending institutions.