July 2002

Cortland County BDC Wins New York State 2002 Small Business Award

The Cortland County Business Development Corporation is the recipient of New York State's 2002 New York State Small Business Award in the category of "Small Business Not-for-profit Organization of the Year." The announcement was made July 16 by Lt. Governor Mary Donohue.

The award competition is sponsored annually by Empire State Development (ESD), the State's economic development organization. Awards are presented annually by Governor George E. Pataki to outstanding small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and members of the small-business community throughout New York State.

The Cortland County Business Development Corporation was nominated by the Central New York Regional Office of Empire State Development. The BDC's nomination was supported by the Cortland Business Network, the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Cortland, Nation Grid, Congressman James Walsh, Senator James Seward and Assemblyman Gary Finch.

"Small Business is at the very heart of New York State's resounding economy, with more than 3.6 million New Yorkers employed in small business -- more than in any other employment sector in the State," ESD Chairman Charles Gargano said. "The Small Business Awards provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements among the hundreds of thousands of hardworking small-business owners and employees."

Award categories are "Small Business Not-for-profit Organization of the Year," "Small Business Person of the Year" and "Small Business Advocate of the Year." Nominations were made from across New York State by trade associations, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, private and public educational institutions, or other types of business organizations on behalf of a small business, an individual or a not-for-profit organization. Applications are reviewed by the New York State Small Business Advisory Board, which made award recommendations to Governor Pataki. The Lt. Governor announced the New York State Small Business Award winners at a press conference on July 16 in Buffalo, NY.

"The Cortland County Business Development Corporation, through its innovative programs, partnerships, advocacy, educational seminars, publications, and leadership role in civic and community activities that promote small business, has helped rekindle a spirit of optimism in the region and directly resulted in significant private investment, new business attraction and job creation," said the Lt. Governor in a prepared statement.

"Each year, the New York State Small Business Awards enable us to both commend the entrepreneurial-minded men and women of New York's micro enterprises and underscore the immense contribution that small businesses make to New York's growing economy," added Chairman Gargano.

Other recipients included: Chris Del Prince, CEO of Lifestyle Street Gear of Buffalo as "Small Business Person of the Year;" and Loretta Kaminsky, President of Lou-Retta's Custom Chocolates of Buffalo and Albert Capsouto, owner of Capsouto Frercs of New York City as "Small Business Advocates of the Year." The Asian American Business Development Center was also recognized as a recipient of the Small Business Not-for-profit Organization award.

"Obviously, we are very honored to receive this prestigious statewide award," said BDC Chairman Paul Slowey. "It's a tribute that small business is growing here in Cortland. A major focus of our efforts is helping small businesses in our own community expand, invest and create jobs. Through partnerships with ESD, the SBA., SBDC, NYBDC, the CBN, Chamber of Commerce and County Planning, we have put together a one-stop approach to small business development that has now been recognized as a state model."

For additional information:

Empire State Development Press Office
212-803-3740
http://www.empire.state.ny.us or http://www.nylovessmallbiz.com

Lt. Governor May Donohue's Press Office
518-474-4623
http://www.state.ny.us/governor/ltgov