The Small Business Voice; Winter-Spring 2018
TheBottomLine
Murphy Administration Takes Office During
40th Anniversary of America’s SBDC New Jersey
Quite auspiciously, Governor Phil Murphy launches his new administration in the same year that America’s SBDC New Jersey celebrates its 40th anniversary of assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs in all 21 counties. Since its inception, 40 years ago, thousands and thousands of new businesses and existing businesses as well as thousands and thousands of jobs have been generated as a result of the comprehensive consultative business services of the SBDC program.
Over the past 13 years, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers program has developed strong relationships at the State House, providing annual and interim accountability reports to members of the Legislature, the governor and lieutenant governor, key staff members within the Governor’s Office, the NJ Business Action Center (BAC), and the State Treasurer. This program’s strong track record of helping entrepreneurs to start businesses, assisting established businesses to further grow, and helping its small business clients facilitate the creation and retention of jobs statewide is something for which the organization is solidly known.
In addition to congratulating Gov. Murphy, America’s SBDC New Jersey also congratulates incoming Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. Former Assembly Speaker Oliver and Assembly Budget Committee Member Muoio have been avid supporters of the NJSBDC program.
In 2008, when Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver received the NJSBDC Small Business Advocate Award at its annual Small Business Growth Awards Luncheon, she was quoted as saying:
“For 30 years, the NJSBDC has been unwavering in its commitment to assist New Jerseyans seeking to fulfill the dream of entrepreneurship and business development. Its technical expertise, guidance and moral support, has made a demonstrable difference to the business climate in New Jersey, and broadening economic opportunity for those who traditionally have been shut out of the economic mainstream of our State. Your dedication and tenacity in continuing to fight hard for often scarce dollars from the State have endeared you to countless business owners and legislators!”
In 2016, then Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio received NJSBDC’s honorary legislative acknowledgement along with a few state legislators. She supported a restored increase in state funding for the program as a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. As an economic development and elected official in Mercer County, she worked closely with one of the 12 SBDC offices statewide, the SBDC at The College of New Jersey. She saw firsthand and up front that the SBDC program is boots on the ground for economic development, offering strong small business support and comprehensive assistance for small business in local communities.
NJSBDC looks forward to tight mutually beneficial cooperation with the Murphy administration. Growing the middle class, promoting and assisting with small business ownership and growth, and generating jobs are top priorities. This federal-state-educational partnership has even greater significance during the 40th anniversary of America’s SBDC New Jersey.
We have high expectations for 2018!
Deborah K. Smarth is Chief Operating Officer and Associate State Director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers Network.
