Dear NJSBDC at The College of New Jersey Client,
As you know, the last several years have been real challenges for the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) network composed of 11 centers statewide. Due to state budget challenges, state funding dropped from $1 million to $250,000 over a three year period.
This year the Governor proposed a state budget which allocates $250,000 to the NJSBDC program. We want to ensure that this funding level is retained when state budget legislation is introduced in the Legislature sometime in June for passage and enactment prior to July 1.
A state Supreme Court decision rendered on May 24, however, sets off a new budget battle since the court ordered the state to provide an additional half a billion dollars in funding for certain school districts within the state. Thus, the Legislature and Governor now have to find these monies through other spending cuts elsewhere in the state budget.
The NJSBDC network must retain its allocation of $250,000. State, federal, and other grant and private funding is leveraged to assist small business owners statewide.
If you feel you have benefited from NJSBDC services, we'd appreciate you communicating this fact to members of the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees and other legislative leaders of the State Legislature. Also, relay to them how important it is to maintain stable funding in the amount of $250,000 for this small business assistance program. Please note the kind of services you received from NJSBDC (i.e. business plan, marketing, E-Business, financial analysis, financing, procurement, etc.) and how it helped your business operation develop and/or grow as well as save or create jobs.
We've attached some brief talking points for you and a sample letter so that you can use and put in your own words if you send an email message, fax a message, or call their legislative district offices registering your support for our program. A list of contacts is provided including the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of legislators whose support is needed.
It is very important to explicitly state how NJSBDC assisted your business in its development, expansion, or survival in this poor economy.
Once again, thank you for your continued support of our program. Please send your communication promptly.
We truly appreciate any action you can take to support this cause.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Allen
Regional Director
NJSDBC at The College of New Jersey |
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND WEBINARS OFFERED, OR TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT www.njsbdc.com
The NJSBDC network (www.njsbdc.com) is the premier provider of comprehensive services and programs for small business in New Jersey. The organization, which consists of 11 centers statewide, helps businesses expand their operations, manage their growth or start ventures. The New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) network is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New Jersey, and The College of New Jersey. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance by contacting 609-771-2947.
