NJSBDC's Associate State Director Deborah Smarth Receives National ''Star'' Performance Award

Smarth received one of 63 “Star” awards given out this month to SBDC executives across the country. The national association of America’s Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC) honored and presented awards to state SBDC leaders nationwide during its annual national meeting in Chicago, Ill. The award is given to those Small Business Development Center (SBDC) individuals, and employees who are judged to be exemplary performers, have made significant contributions to their states'''' SBDC programs, and have illustrated a strong commitment to small businesses.

“Deborah Smarth has done an incredible job of publicizing the work of the NJSBDC, and works very energetically to increase understanding by the State Legislature about the contribution NJSBDC makes to the economy of New Jersey,” said Don Wilson, president, and chief operating officer of the ASBDC, noting that the 11-center NJSBDC ranks among the larger Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s) in the country.

Facing $1 million in proposed budget cuts, Smarth helped champion the restoration of $500,000 into Gov. Jon Corzine Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget for the NJSBDC. The proposed measure would have eliminated all state funding for the NJSBDC, as well as additional $831,000 in federal funds for the organization. The Legislature responded to the advocacy efforts of NJSBDC’s clients, partners and supporters, by filing budget resolutions in both the Assembly and Senate that called for the restoration of the full $1,000,000. However, during final budget negotiations between Legislative Leaders and the Governor and Treasurer, $500,000 in state funding for NJSBDC was restored.

Of the award, Smarth said, “I’m honored to receive this excellence award, and to be recognized by my state network and national association for my efforts on behalf of small business. Leading a non-profit, small business service organization in collaboration with our NJSBDC state director has been a challenging, but also very rewarding experience," said Smarth, who directs strategic planning, government relations, and communications for the NJSBDC network. “I am privileged and honored to work with a host of private sector experts throughout our national and statewide network to ensure that our assistance to small business owners excels."

About the ASBDC
The ASBDC is the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States, and its territories. The mission of the network is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assist existing businesses to remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy. Hosted by leading universities, colleges and state economic development agencies, and funded in part through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are about 1,000 service centers in the country that are available to provide no-cost consulting and low-cost training to small businesses.

About NJSBDC
The NJSBDC network (www.njsbdc.com), comprised of 11 centers across the state, is the premier provider of comprehensive services and programs for small business in New Jersey, helping businesses expand their operations, manage their growth or start new ventures. Expert staff and practicing business consultants help established small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs develop business plans, find financing, identify new markets and expand their operations. This non-profit network is a federal-state-educational partnership, which maximizes resources for the small business