RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS TO NEW MEXICO'S ECONOMY.

WHEREAS, the United States small business administration finds that small businesses comprised ninety-six and six- tenths percent of New Mexico statewide employment in 1996, and small businesses accounted for all net new jobs in New Mexico from 1992 to 1996; and

WHEREAS, small businesses with less than twenty employees represented seventy-three and one-half percent of the small business growth in New Mexico in 1996; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico small business development center network exists to serve the small business community through technical assistance, training and related services; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico small business development center network is a partnership of the state of New Mexico, the United States small business administration and the New Mexico association of community colleges and is a member of the national association of small business development centers, which includes fifty-seven statewide and regional programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico small business development center network be recognized for its contribution to the economic well-being of this great state through its services to the small business community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 25, 1999 be declared as "New Mexico small business development center day" and that all directors and staff of the New Mexico small business development center network be present at the state capitol rotunda on this day for the purpose of recognizing outstanding small business clients of the New Mexico small business development center network; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the state director of the New Mexico small business development center network, the Albuquerque district director of the United States small business administration and the president of the New Mexico association of community colleges.