Business Briefs

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is searching for outstanding New Jersey small-business owners and small-business champions who will be honored during National Small Business Week in April.

According to James A. Kocsi, SBA New Jersey district director, nominations are being sought for “New Jersey’s Small Business Person of the Year” and for outstanding “SBA Small Business Champions” in the areas of minority, women, veteran, financial services, home-based business, and “Small Business Journalist of the Year.” They are also seeking candidates for “Small Business Exporter of the Year,” “Young Entrepreneur of the Year,” and an “SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year.”

Kocsi stated that they are looking to individuals, local chambers of commerce, banks, trade associations, and other community-based business organizations to submit nominations and sponsor candidates.

The SBA will join with the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce in recognizing its Small Business Week award winners at the eighth annual New Jersey Small Business Conference scheduled to be held April 22 at the Hyatt Hotel in New Brunswick.

Nominations should be submitted to the SBA Newark District Office at 2 Gateway Center, 15th Floor, Newark 07102. The deadline for all nominations is Dec. 6. Details: (973) 645-6064 or e-mail harry.menta@sba.gov. Nomination guidelines may be downloaded at www.sba.gov/nj/sba05nominations.pdf.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) will have a holiday auction with the Middlesex-Somerset and Monmouth-Ocean chapters Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, Route 35 and Industrial Way, Eatontown. Proceeds will benefit scholarship and outreach programs, as well as educational and legislative activities for the local chapter of NJAWBO. Cost is $45 per person, and advance registration is required and may be done by calling Marianne at (732) 775-8900.