NYS Small Business Development Center Program is Finalist for National Economic Development Award
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ALBANY, N.Y. (December 23, 2010) --
The New York State Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) Olé Program at the New York City College of Technology was named a finalist by the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) for its Awards of Excellence in the category of Community Development.
The award recognizes a significant effort by a UEDA member in assisting organizations to develop stronger communities or enhance community economic development assets.
Olé (Organization of Latino Entrepreneurs) is dedicated to supporting Latino business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs through one-on-one management assistance and educational programs in Spanish and English. Olé supports the creation of small businesses and efficient business practices for the benefit of the Latin American community.
Olé is one of a wide range of programs and services offered by the NYS SBDC, which is administered by the University at Albany. Through a network of 24 regional centers, the NYS SBDC delivers high quality business counseling and training to New Yorkers who want to start a business or improve the performance of an existing business. Thanks to partners in the public and private sectors, the center’s services are free of charge.
"I am honored that Olé was recognized by UEDA for its contributions to the community," said City Tech SBDC Director Catalina Castano. "All of those involved with Olé work hard to support, promote and generate growth of Hispanic-owned small businesses, and to be acknowledged for our efforts is quite an achievement."
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City Tech SBDC Director Catalina Castano of the New York State Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) Olé Program, named a finalist by the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) for its Awards of Excellence in the category of Community Development. |
UEDA presented its Awards of Excellence during its recent national summit, held Nov. 7-9 in Reno, Nevada. The event, which focused on best practices in university-based economic development programs, also recognized award winners in the categories of Business Assistance and Entrepreneurship; Partnership Development; Economic Development and Public Policy Research; and Technology Commercialization.
The University Economic Development Association is a national organization that serves institutions of higher education and their economic development affiliates. UEDA is the pre-eminent organization that represents higher education and economic development.UEDA focuses on universities’ roles in economic development and provides a forum for a diverse membership, with the common goals of enhancing enterprise competitiveness and community wealth.
About the NYS SBDC
The NYS SBDC, administered by the University at Albany, State University of New York, has 24 regional service centers located throughout the New York State on SUNY, City University of New York (CUNY) and private university campuses. Since inception in 1984, the SBDC has provided small business advisement services to more than 324,000 New Yorkers. The SBDC also provides training and business research to existing business owners and entrepreneurs. SBDC clients have invested over $4.3 billion in NY, impacting 147,000 jobs.
The SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, local communities and host campuses. As a result of this leveraged support, the SBDC staff provides confidential one-on-one business advisement services at no direct cost to the citizens and entrepreneurs of New York.
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