WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today honored its resource partners for their achievements in advancing small business growth and development.  A California SCORE Chapter, a New Jersey Women’s Business Center, and a Small Business Development Center in Oklahoma were recognized for their exceptional service and support of their regional small business communities.

The national awards were announced at a breakfast event in Washington,D.C., at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Conference Center, in observance of National Small Business Week.  The event also recognized SBA Lender Awards, and was sponsored by Sage.

The Entrepreneurial Development Award categories include the SCORE Chapter of the Year, the Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award, and the Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award. This year’s award winners are:

“Each of these outstanding SBA resource partners deserves acknowledgment for their tireless efforts on behalf of the nation’s small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “The commitment and dedication they have shown has helped to counsel, to inspire, and to build successful entrepreneurs at every level.”

The SCORE Chapter of the Year Award honors a chapter whose volunteer counselors have exceeded high standards for counseling small business clients, including expanding counseling services and programs that benefit the local small business community.  San Diego SCORE has demonstrated exceptional service growth, successful public outreach and excellent client satisfaction. Instrumental throughout San Diego County, the chapter provided more than 11,000 services through mentoring sessions and workshops last year alone.  San Diego SCORE has added new branch locations and a Web cam that allows volunteers to provide face-to-face mentoring to clients.  The chapter also works with local organizations representing a diverse range of communities.

The Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award honors a Women’s Business Center for its excellence and innovation in assisting women entrepreneurs by providing a wide variety of training and counseling.  The NJAWBO Women’s Business Center is one of the leading SBA WBCs in the nation, providing entrepreneurial training, consulting and education to help women business owners start and grow their enterprises.  The WBC has counseled a growingnumber of women, and provided resources for them to maximize their business growth and profitability.  The WBC has developed innovative programs to assist women entrepreneurs, and has greatly increased program participation.

The Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award honors an SBDC Service Center for its excellence in providing value to small businesses and advancing program delivery and management through innovation.  The Southwestern Oklahoma State University SBDC provides key resources and services to the state’s small business community, and is part of the network of the Southeastern Oklahoma State University SBDCs.  The Southwestern SBDC has consistently exceeded its goal of capital nfusion.  These funds, received from SBA loans, private bank loans, venture capital, and individual direct investments to help local firms get started,

totaled more than $16 million last year alone.  In addition, it assisted in the start-up of 37 new businesses.  The Center is known state-wide for its reputation of dedication to the success of entrepreneurs, particularly the underserved.  It serves 15 rural counties of southwest Oklahoma and, specializes in providing counseling and training, financial assistance, and assistance to veterans.

Events during National Small Business Week can be viewed virtually through SBA’s free, live webcasting accessible online at http://www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com/.  A complete list of National Small Business Week award winners is also available online.