NEWS

Jim Carroll, the Executive Director for the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads and the Chamber’s Vice President for Small Business was recognized as the “State Star” for the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network.

The award, presented on an annual basis, honors an SBDC employee, counselor or director who has made a positive impact and contribution to the network over the past year. The recipient is first nominated for the award and then a selection process is conducted with each member of the network having the opportunity to vote for his/her choice.
When asked about his award Jim stated, “To be frank, I was shocked to hear that I had been selected for the award. There were more than a few candidates who, in my opinion, had made stronger contributions than me over the year. It is indeed an honor and privilege to have been selected.”

Last year, the Center served 343 clients and helped them generate over $32 million in economic impact for the region. The Center developed a highly successful Local Procurement Education Program in the City of Virginia Beach, continued its nationally recognized Early Education and Day Care Program as well as took steps to implement Propel, the region’s first small business Mentor-Protégé program.
The awards are presented to each state winner at the annual Professional Development Conference. This year the conference will be taking place in San Francisco, California in September.
About the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads (www.hrsbdc.org) The Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads is a non-profit affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Thomas Nelson Community College in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It is part of a statewide network of business assistance headed by the Mason Center for Business and Public Policy at George Mason University, and funded primarily by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC provides management counseling, information, technical assistance, education, and training to small businesses in the region’s 18 cities and counties. It has been serving the greater Hampton Roads region and the Eastern Shore since 1990.
About the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is the Region’s premier business organization; helping our members succeed, driving regional economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of our community’s residents. The Chamber is a vigorous advocate for the economic success of its member businesses, which employ nearly 250,000 men and women in southeastern Virginia. Visit HamptonRoadsChamber.com. Like us on Facebook at Chamber757 and follow us on Twitter @Chamber757.