Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development (ESD), today commended the Cortland County Business Development Corporation as the New York State "2002 Small Business Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year".

Senator James Seward presented the award on behalf of ESD at a gala reception, September 16, at the 1890 House and Museum. Also attending the event was New York State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers, and senior staff of the New York State Department of State and Department of Transportation, as well as Jeffrey Boyce, director of ESD's small business division. The award was made by the New York State Small Business Advisory Board under the auspices of ESD to honor outstanding contributions to New York's small business community.

"The Cortland County Business Development Corporation (BDC), 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," according to Lt. Governor Mary Donohue.

"The Cortland BDC has demonstrated itself to be a remarkable friend of small business through the services it provides. Its performance stands as an example of the role that a progressive organization can play in facilitating and developing significant small-business support activities in upstate New York," Chairman Gargano added.

"The Cortland County BDC and Director Linda Hartsock have done a tremendous job in revitalizing the local economy by attracting business investment," said state Senator James L. Seward, who represents Cortland County in the Senate. "Linda and the BDC have been catalysts for job growth, working with state and federal officials to develop partnerships that have produced the business and technology park, an Empire Zone, the investment of Borg Warner Morse, Photon Vision Systems, and more. This award is well deserved and I couldn't be more delighted than to see it go to Linda Hartsock and the BDC."

The Cortland County Business Development Corporation, working with Empire State Development, has helped facilitate $80 million in business investments by small and medium sized companies in the County within the past two years. Through collaboration with other small business assistance providers, the BDC has helped to triple Small Business Administration loan activity in Cortland County to more than $6 million in 2001. Small businesses comprise more than 90% of the region's employers and are the single largest creator of new jobs in the local economy.

"Small business plays a key role in New York State's economic health," Chairman Gargano said. "More than 3.6 million New Yorkers are employed in small businesses in all parts of the state, and this award provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements among organizations working with small-business owners."

The Cortland County Business Development Corporation offers:

• Monthly "business assistance days" to small businesses seeking financing;
• A web site (www.cortlandbusiness.com) with comprehensive information on the region and links to other sources of information;
• A quarterly newsletter;
• Numerous seminars, workshops and publications.

Nominations for the small business awards were made 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 were reviewed by the New York State Small Business Advisory Board, which made its award recommendations. To be eligible for an award, nominees must meet certain criteria outlined in the nomination application forms available from ESD's Division for Small Business. Applicants also must meet the definition of a small business as established by Section 131 of the New York State Economic Development Law.

For more information about ESD's services for small businesses visit www.nylovessmallbiz.com or contact the toll-free hotline, 1-800-STATE-NY, or e-mail esd_smallbus@empire.state.ny.us.