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2004 State Star

FOR RELEASE - October 25, 2004

CLIFF BENNETT, KALISPELL, NAMED SBDC 'MONTANA STATE STAR' 2004
Award Recognizes 'Exemplary Performance', Commitment

Helena, MT - October 25, 2003 - Montana Department of Commerce's State Small Business Development Center Director Ann Desch announced that Cliff Bennett, Regional Director of the Kalispell SBDC Subcenter, has been selected as the 2004 State Star of the Montana SBDC Network.

"I am pleased to make this announcement, and to recognize Cliff for extraordinary contributions to the work of the Montana SBDC network and to business owners in Northwest Montana," said Desch

Bennett is Regional Director at the Kalispell Small Business Development Center, which is housed at the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce. Cliff was chosen by his peers within the Montana SBDC for being an exemplary performer, making a significant contribution to the Montana SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to the business community in Flathead, Lake, and Lincoln Counties. The Kalispell Subcenter is one of ten such organizations serving the state of Montana.

"It is an honor to accept this award." said Bennett, "It's flattering to be recognized by your peers, and extremely rewarding to have the opportunity to help our local businesses prosper, expand, and create new jobs." The award is presented at the Annual ASBDC Conference, which was held in New Orleans, LA in September.

America's Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. In Montana, the SBDC program is funded by a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Montana Department of Commerce, and local host organizations. It is the Small Business Administration's largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses. With about 1,000 centers across the nation, the SBDC network assists approximately 650,000 small businesses every year in face-to-face counseling and training, in addition to assisting hundreds of thousands more small businesses through fax-on-demand and e-mail.