State of New York Executive Chamber Mary Donohue, Lt. Governor Thursday, September 9, 2004 Lt. Governor Donohue Announces New York State Small Business Advocate of the Year Thomas Coakley of St. Lawrence University Honored CANTON – Lt. Governor Mary Donohue today presented St. Lawrence University Vice President for Administrative Operations Thomas Coakley with the Small Business Advocate of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to New York's small-business community. "Governor Pataki's fostering of a business-friendly environment, combined with the hard work and dedication of people and organizations like today's award winners, have helped New York's small-business community remain strong," said Lt. Governor Donohue. Through his position at St. Lawrence University, Thomas Coakley developed and implemented an investment strategy, called the Canton Initiative, to stimulate investment in a defined enterprise zone within the Village of Canton and to improve the appearance of the zone and its potential for economic development. With $2 million from St. Lawrence University and additional investments from banks and the private sector, Mr. Coakley works closely with local small business entrepreneurs to purchase and renovate historic buildings, assist with small business start-up and expansion costs, fund beautification projects and improve infrastructure essential to main street businesses. In addition, Mr. Coakley has provided business counseling and mentoring to many of the small businesses who received financial assistance. To date, the Canton Initiative investment has leveraged an eventual increase in the tax base estimated at approximately $3 million and that investment has supported the continuation or creation of approximately 60 jobs in the community. Mr. Coakley is past president of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, currently serves on the North Country Alliance and is involved in other business development groups. "Thomas Coakley has been a champion of the small business community in New York for many years, giving his time, energy and ideas to numerous projects and initiatives that help other small business entrepreneurs success in realizing their dreams," said Lt. Governor Donohue. "Small business is a key component of New York State's economy, employing more than 3.6 million people," said Charles A. Gargano, chairman of Empire State Development (ESD), which sponsors the awards with the New York State Small Business Advisory Board. "These awards provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements by and for members of the Empire State's small businesses." "Reviewing Small Business Award nominations and selecting finalists is one of the Small Business Advisory Board's most challenging and rewarding tasks," said Board Chairman Ross M. Weale. "It is truly an honor to join with Lt. Governor Donohue in recognizing these exceptional individuals." Nominations for the small business awards were solicited from trade associations, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, private and public educational institutions and other types of business organizations on behalf of small business, an individual or a not-for-profit organization. Applicants may also nominate themselves. Applications were reviewed by the New York State Small Business Advisory Board, which made its award recommendations. To be eligible for an award, nominees must meet certain criteria outlined in the nomination application forms available from ESD's Division for Small Business. Applicants for Small Business Person of the Year award also must meet the definition of a small business as established by Section 131 of the New York State Economic Development Law. For more information about ESD's services for small businesses, contact its Division for Small Business toll-free by calling 1-800-STATE-NY, via e-mail at esd_smallbus@empire.state.ny.us or visit their Web site at www.nylovessmallbiz.com. ### Back To News Releases Back to St. Lawrence Homepage