RALEIGH: Small Business Centers, located at each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, provide tremendous services that promote economic development in North Carolina. Today, the Small Business Center (SBC) at Central Piedmont Community College was honored as the recipient of the statewide Small Business Center Network Award for Excellence. The presentation was made at the State Board of Community College meeting on Friday, March 21.

Small Business Center Network State Director Gayle Harvey announced the awards. She told the State Board that in the past year, the 58 Small Business Centers have served more than 71,600 individuals, hosted 4530 business events, provided counseling and information to more than 22,000 individuals, and provided more than 11,000 hours of counseling.

Maggi Braun, SBC Director at Central Piedmont, accepted the Award for Excellence. The center was selected for its overall exceptional work and specifically because of the assistance given to Suite 1000, an inbound call center business. The SBC provided services that helped the Suite 100 owners develop a strategic plan that improved their present situation and will also help them avoid future problems. The SBC was also instrumental in the City of Charlotte allocating a million dollars for the development of a Small Business Enterprise program that will strengthen the business skills of small and minority business owners in the city.

In addition to CPCC, Surry Community College SBC Director Dennis Lowe accepted the West Regional Award. The East Regional Award went to Coastal Carolina Community College. Coastal Vice President David Heatherly accepted on behalf of the SBC Director Anne Shaw. (Photo of winners)

In other business the State Board approved Dr. John Richard McKay as the second president of South Piedmont Community College, effective June 30. Dr. McKay is currently president of Morgan Community College in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Dr. McKay, a technical/community college graduate, told the Board he is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the NC Community College System.

The State Board also welcomed Robeson Community College President Charles E. Chrestman, who assumed the top spot at RCC on January 1, 2003. Dr. Chrestman thanked the Board for their support and told them he will do all he can to build on the success achieved by his predecessor, Mr. Fred Williams.

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