Joe Molineaux Receives National Recognition in Helping Region’s Small Businesses

Atlantic City , NJ- Joe Molineaux, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Stockton has been chosen as the 2009 State Star for New Jersey by the National Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).

Each year individuals are recognized by the ASBDC for outstanding performance, demonstrating exemplary work, making significant contributions to their states’ SBDC programs and showing a strong commitment to small business.

Molineaux, a Linwood resident has provided services such as assistance with business plans, and marketing strategies for hundreds of small businesses in the region, received the award recently at the ASBDC National Conference in Orlando, FL. His offices are located in Stockton’s satellite center in the historic Carnegie Library Center in Atlantic City.

"We have long marveled at Joe Molineaux's tireless efforts on behalf of area small business," said Stockton's Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. "Joe's services are another example of our community initiatives which are especially important during difficult economic times. It is fitting that the national association would recognize Joe as New Jersey’s 'State Star' in small business development."

Molineaux has been the SBDC Director since 2000. Originally, the program served Atlantic and Cape May County, and in 2002, Cumberland County was added to the service area. Under his leadership the SBDC program has grown each year and in 2003 he helped to bring the SBDC to Stockton. The SBDC’s program, based on small business education and regional economic development, became a perfect complement to Stockton’s community outreach initiatives.

Molineaux said he was humbled and motivated by the recognition, "To receive this honor during one of the most challenging business climates in our Center’s history means more to me than receiving it when times were less difficult. With the needs of small businesses greater than ever and continuing to grow, being recognized this year for the work we do is so meaningful. An award like this inspires me and I am hopeful the award will help to shine a much needed spotlight on the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers network and also on the regional agencies, business organizations and individuals that are working everyday helping drive productive economic development in New Jersey."

In late 2008, Molineaux worked in partnership with multiple Cumberland County economic development organizations (Cumberland County, Cumberland Empowerment Zone, Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton Urban Enterprise Zones, Cumberland County One Stop Business Resource Center, Dept. of Labor and Cumberland Development Corp.) to create a unique partnership that began in early 2009 to continue services amongst state funding cuts that would have greatly reduced the Center’s ability to serve the businesses and residents in Cumberland County. The funding also helped the State program by creating much needed "matching" funds to leverage federal funding from the Small Business Administration.

The SBDC at Stockton serves Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties by providing free one-to-one small business counseling and assistance, affordable training and economic development support in the form of technical assistance to the region. For more information on Stockton’s Small Business Development Center and its services, please contact Joe Molineaux at (609) 347-2174 or e-mail him at Joseph.Molineaux@stockton.edu.