America’s SBDC New Jersey Nationally Recognized for Environmental Leadership

On Jun 10, 2021

The National Steering Committee (NSC) of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAP) & Small Business Ombudsmen (SBO) recognized the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) and the NJ Small Business Registry (SBR) for leadership in the areas of improving environmental performance, pollution prevention, sustainability, and mentoring through collaboration with the NJ SBEAP.

The SBEAP/SBO NSC Awards are the states’ premier awards program for recognizing outstanding environmental leadership among small businesses and small business assistance providers. These awards recognize small businesses, SBEAP/SBO programs and individuals, trade associations and other business assistance providers who have made significant contributions to protecting the environment. The awards program (https://nationalsbeap.org/) is sponsored by the SBEAP/SBO NSC in partnership with U.S. EPA Asbestos and Small Business Office.

“NJSBDC welcomes this national award recognition for its efforts in promoting sustainability practices,” stated Kelly Brozyna, NJSBDC network chief executive officer and state director. “Our organization’s comprehensive small business assistance services and initiatives cover a wide range of business management consulting concerning diverse operational strategies so small businesses can grow and succeed. This specialized subject matter adds further to NJSBDC’s continuum of services for small businesses in New Jersey.”

Over the past several years, NJSBDC’s Sustainability Program helped facilitate hundreds of small businesses as “Sustainable Business Registry Members,” (registry.njsbdc.com). NJSBDC Program Manager Ed Kurocka has worked tirelessly in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Sustainability to assist small businesses take advantage of this special registry and consulting and other technical assistance in this area to better realize cost savings in business operations while at the same time resulting in positive environmental benefits.

“Small and medium sized businesses might think that sustainability is only achievable by large companies who have the capacity and resources to develop comprehensive plans and hire dedicated sustainability staff,” said SBDC Sustainability Manager Ed Kurocka. “However, this is a misperception. The most successful sustainability strategies often start with simple, low-cost initiatives that even the smallest business can accomplish. There are real opportunities for small businesses to yield significant benefits from the adoption of basic environmental best practices.”

Over the past few years small businesses across New Jersey have taken advantage of this no cost SBDC service to find ways to integrate environmentally friendly practices into their day to day operations.

“NJSDBC’s sustainability expert counselors have worked with business owners to identify ways to increase efficiency through energy conservation, waste reduction, pollution prevention, streamlined procurement and risk management,” stated Deborah Smarth, NJSBDC chief operating officer and associate state director. “NJSBDC’s national award recognition for its activities is a tribute to the efforts of our Sustainability Specialty Program Manager in collaboration with both the U.S. EPA and N.J. Department of Environmental Protection.”

The NJSBDC HQ management and Sustainability Program Manager, Ed Kurocka, joined in a June 9th virtual event sponsored by SBEAP & SBO to be officially recognized for its sustainability initiative’s accomplishments.

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