LEGISLATIVE LETTER TEXT

Please cut and paste the following message into your e-mails and/or faxes and feel free to

insert a specific NJSBDC service you received that was truly helpful to you.  (Thank you!)

(Address to Both Chairs of Assembly and Senate Budget Committees; copy to the Minority Officers of both committees)

Dear  {Insert Legislator Name and Address Here}       :

As someone who has received direct assistance from SBDC services and programs, I urge you to continue your support of NJSBDC. Without SBDC counseling, special workshops and training sessions, my business would not have succeeded or progressed to the extent it has.  

I strongly urge you to consider a small increase in funding - - up to $100,000 in additional funds - - for NJSBDC programs when you introduce appropriations legislation for FY 2006-2007. NJSBDC currently receives $800,000 in contrast to the $6.7 million that the Pennsylvania SBDC and $2.5 million that the New York SBDC receive.

NJSBDC helps entrepreneurs and small business owners to develop our business plans and marketing strategies, obtain financing and government procurement contracts, create and enhance our websites and enter into the global marketplace.  NJSBDC programs served more than 25,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2005 alone and facilitated more than $48 million in total loans, contracts, and grants for small business owners across the State. Over the past two years, SBDC programs helped create and retain more than 14,000 jobs statewide.

Please support entrepreneurs and small business owners around the State by supporting increased funding for NJSBDC programs and services. Your support for this program will result in a healthy small-business sector and more jobs and tax revenues for the State so that all taxpayers can receive their fair share of their hard earned dollars in a State budget that is wisely directed and spent on an even better New Jersey.


Thank you.

{Insert Your Name Here}