|
|
September 14, 2005
 |
Kay Harris, owner of the Galleria on the Asbury Park boardwalk,
was selected to receive free one-on-one entrepreneurial training
from experts at the Greater Newark Business Development Consortium,
thanks to a $500 grant from New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG),
secured through Asbury Partners. Pictured in the Galleria
are (left to right): Tom Hayes, NJNG’s director of
consumer and community relations; Harris; and Dr. Guy McCombs
III, community outreach liaison for Asbury Partners. |
NJ NATURAL GAS FUNDS ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING FOR ASBURY PARK BOARDWALK BUSINESS OWNER
Galleria Owner Receives One-On-One Support in Business Development
ASBURY PARK, N.J., Sept. 14, 2005 - Kay Harris, owner of the Galleria on the Asbury Park boardwalk, was selected to receive free one-on-one entrepreneurial training from experts at the Greater Newark Business Development Consortium, thanks to a $500 grant from New Jersey Natural Gas, secured through Asbury Partners.
The grant program is the brainchild of Dr. Guy McCombs III, community outreach liaison for Asbury Partners, developers of the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury redevelopment. McCombs, one of New Jersey's foremost public policy and urban renewal experts, was instrumental in providing local entrepreneurs with the chance to take part in the renaissance of Asbury Park's boardwalk by opening small businesses there. But he felt that just providing them with space was not enough.
"These are true pioneers and they deserve all the support we can give them," said McCombs. "We want them to survive and flourish, and that means helping them polish their business skills in order to meet the challenges of a rapidly emerging market."
That concern led McCombs to approach one of the area's strongest supporters of neighborhood businesses, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), which immediately provided a $500 grant to help Asbury Partners bolster the success of at least one of these local minority businesses.
"NJNG is committed to supporting economic development in the communities we serve through various programs and incentives," said Tom Hayes, the utility's director of consumer and community relations. "New business and employment opportunities strengthen the neighborhood and give pride to its residents. Our longstanding support of Asbury Park began when the company started there back in 1952, at 601 Bangs Ave. where we still have a business office. Because of programs like this, we have great hopes for the future of Asbury Park."
Kay Harris, who is a third generation Asbury Park resident, was selected as the first beneficiary recipient of the grant. "I'm very happy to have been selected," said Harris. "I do have a business background myself, but this is the first time I've taken on a retail enterprise. I'm charting new waters, and I appreciate the assistance."
Mark Quinn, executive director of the Greater Newark Business Development Consortium (GNBDC) has already met with Harris to discuss some of her concerns and the areas in which she would like additional training. "We'll be meeting with her on a regular basis through the end of the year, helping her draw up a long-term business plan, determine product selection, address personnel issues and create a brand identity," Quinn explained. "Entrepreneurs are often so caught up in the day-to-day running of the business that they don't have time to step back and look at the big picture."
Asbury Partners hopes to secure additional grants in the future to enable them to reach out to other small business owners on the boardwalk.
"We want to see these businesses succeed, expand, and stay here on the Asbury Park boardwalk for many years to come," said McCombs. "These entrepreneurs are the first wave of a true economic resurgence in this oceanfront resort community."
|
|
