Media Release
| For Immediate Release | Contact | Phone |
| Tuesday, October 7, 2008 | Phyllis Salowe-Kaye | 973-643-8800 |
| Leslie Schlesinger | 973-643-8800 |
Wachovia, AT&T and New Jersey Citizen Action Host Elizabeth Small Business Forum
Elizabeth, NJ — On Tuesday, October 7, 2008 New Jersey Citizen Action, an independent citizen watchdog coalition, along with Wachovia, and AT&T hosted a Small Business Forum Luncheon at the Winfield Scott Ballroom (Club Ole), 323 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208. The event, attracted over 75 small business owners, those who are considering opening their own businesses, and representatives of local and state economic development organizations.
"The Community Reinvestment Act has helped to provide opportunities for small business owners in urban areas like Elizabeth," said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJCA Executive Director. "By bringing together lenders, community leaders and small business owners, we hope to ensure small business owners know what resources are available to help their businesses thrive and grow," added Salowe-Kaye.
The forum, entitled "Exchange Ideas and Make Connections," addressed the challenges and opportunities facing small business leaders and owners in the Union County area.
"Wachovia knows that successful small businesses are the life force of a community," said Lucia DiNapoli Gibbons, the bank's regional president for wholesale banking in Northern New Jersey and Greater Pennsylvania. "They produce jobs, spur economic growth and boost the quality of life. We're delighted to support the work of New Jersey Citizen Action in this important effort."
The Forum is one of several events held by New Jersey Citizen Action, Wachovia and AT&T in an attempt to address the needs of the small business community and develop creative funding mechanisms to increase and expand small businesses in urban areas.
Topics of discussion included access to capital, technical assistance, product development, relationship management, communications and crisis management, and other needs and concerns of small business owners and those considering opening their own businesses.
"AT&T is proud to join New Jersey Citizen Action's commitment to support small businesses," said J. Michael Schweder, President, AT&T New Jersey. "Small businesses are the cornerstone of this state, and this forum provided timely, relevant information on ways that they can grow."
To start the event off were warm welcomes from the Mayor of Elizabeth, Chris Bollwage. The bulk of the forum consisted of small business owners hearing informative speeches from business leaders and community groups. The speakers spoke extensively about resources available to help small businesses. After the speeches were over, Wachovia representatives were available to discuss the special loan opportunities Wachovia provides to small business owners.
This is event was co-sponsored by Elizabeth Development Company, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Greater Newark Business Development Consortium, Kean University Small Business Development Center, NJ Association of Women's Business Owners, NJ Economic Development Authority, NJ Small Business Development Centers, New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, Small Business Administration and UCEDC
