Comprehensive, Pro-Active Business Workshops Planned

FEBRUARY 27, 2007, OAKDALE, NY – Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley and Dowling College President Robert Gaffney announced a program of workshops created by the Town of Brookhaven Small Business Advisory Council and Dowling College at a press conference on Tuesday, February 27. The workshops will focus on how to manage a successful small business.

The Town of Brookhaven has made a commitment to providing assistance to the small business community through education, training and access to organizations that can help with finance and counseling. The Town of Brookhaven Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC) was created with the mission to provide assistance for entrepreneurs and the Council is a partner and host of the innovative three-part series, Managing a Successful Small Business, that was announced at the press conference.

The upcoming evening three-part certificate series, “Managing a Successful Business,” starting on March 8, will be one of the Town’s first small business continuing education efforts. These seminars will provide basic tools and insight for the entrepreneur. Even existing businesses will benefit from the information provided through these sessions.

The Town of Brookhaven has long had an important working relationship with Dowling College and counts many of its employees as Dowling alumni. The Town of Brookhaven supports the Dowling Institute mission to provide educational and training programs for leading corporations around the globe.

“We are excited to be able to partner with Dowling Institute to provide this level of training and education to our local business community right here in the Town of Brookhaven,” said Supervisor Foley.

“We are pleased to be able to undertake this initiative with the Town of Brookhaven,” said Dowling President Gaffney. “This underscores Dowling College's commitment to be a valuable and relevant community resource.”

Supervisor Foley and President Gaffney pointed out that many people played important roles in designing the seminar program, including:

• Town of Brookhaven Division of Economic Development Director Ray Donnelly and Empire Zone Manager Anthony Figliola; and Department of Housing, Community Development & Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Commissioner, Nicole J. Christian.
• The Long Island Development Corporation (LIDC), and especially its CEO, Roz Goldmacher.
• Town of Brookhaven Small Business Advisory Council officers and members, especially Ms. Joan Stong and Charlie Shrieber.

“Finally, we appreciate the support of Dowling College President Robert Gaffney and the staff and instructors of the Dowling Institute Director--Ms. Elana Zolfo and Institute instructor Gary Barello--without whom this series would never have been created,” said Supervisor Foley. “The Town of Brookhaven looks forward to continuing to work with Dowling College, one of our town’s foremost educational institutions, to provide opportunities for all our town residents, students, businesspeople and the general public.”

Upon completion of all three sessions on May 10, each participant will receive a certificate of completion from the Dowling Institute and the Town of Brookhaven. The time spent here every month will also expose participants to Dowling Institute instructors and administrators in the event that they may need further training after this program ends.

At a press conference announcing a new seminar series for small business owners are, left to right, Dowling Institute Instructor Gary Barello, Dowling Institute Instructor Elana Zolfo, Dowling President Robert Gaffney, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, Brookhaven Deputy Commissioner of Community Development Nicole Christian and Brookhaven Director of Economic Development Ray Donnelly

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