Onondaga Community College's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was rewarded for the outstanding services it provides clients with several Statewide awards at the annual SBDC Conference. Those awards included:
- Neighborhood Hero Award - Team recognition for community-focused approach to service delivery.
- Center Goals - One of 6 SBDC's across New York State which reached all of its goals for the year.
- New Business Starts - Documented 234 new business starts for the year.
- Lead by Example Award - Mark Pitonzo.
Also, the OCC SBDC's Kellie Greene and Deb Wilson were presented with their Primary Certifications.
Onondaga's SBDC serves clients in 8 counties including Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, and Seneca. During "National Small Business Week" in the month of May, the staff presented "Small Business of the Year" awards to one business in each of those 8 counties, along with one award for the Regional Small Business Lender Partner of the Year.
Also that week, Vetted Tech Inc. was presented with the 2024 Upstate New York Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year Award. The award covers a 34-county region. Vetted Tech is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned manufacturer located on Court Street Road in Syracuse. It utilizes 3-D printing to make high performance components in metal and polymer composite materials. Vetted Tech's President and Owner is Mike Mowins. He's a graduate of Baldwinsville High School and the United States Naval Academy. Vetted Tech's success story was highlighted in a "Tell Me Something" Good segment on WSYR TV.
OCC's SBDC was also honored with the 2024 ALLY AWARD by Operation Oswego County. The plaque they were presented with said: "In recognition and appreciation of the vision, commitment, and leadership exhibited at the Onondaga Small Business Development Center to provide critical entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to the small business and entrepreneurs of Oswego County; and for being a vital and essential partner in economic development in Oswego County, NY."
OCC's SBDC is led by Regional Director Robert Griffin, CEPA. It provides no-cost, confidential business advisement services to individuals and companies. The advisor team provides customized solutions through advisement, education, research and advocacy for entrepreneurs, innovators, and small & medium enterprise community. The office can be contacted by phone at 315.498.6070, or email at sbdc@sunyocc.edu.
The SBDC is funded by a grant from the US Small Business Administration and the state of New York.
