The Official Newsletter of the Atlantic City Special Improvement District

In this day and age of oversized malls, discount shopping centers and Internet purchasing, small downtown businesses find themselves three steps behind the giant entrepreneurs of the world. The ability to survive, as well as thrive, is crucial to the success of any downtown business district. Smart management, creative thinking, a knowledgeable and courteous staff, and a viable product are key ingredients to offering downtown shoppers what they cannot get anywhere else.

Wisely managing your establishment and pushing the right buttons that lead to the greatest financial gain are only realized after acquiring the necessary business acumen.

In many cities throughout the country, several organizations provide these resources. In Atlantic City, it is the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce that is attempting to lead the way. The Chamber of Commerce has proposed bringing a New Jersey Small Business Development Center "satellite office" to the city.

The state of New Jersey and the United States Small Business Administration established the New Jersey Small Business Development Center in 1977 in order to support New Jersey's small businesses and entrepreneurs. The goal of the NJSBDC is to provide a wide range of services, such as one-on-one business management consulting, specialized market development programs, financial packaging, a broad range of educational seminars and workshops, and information services.

To many business entrepreneurs these services are virtually unknown. That is where the Chamber of Commerce, with 90% of its membership coming from small businesses, intends to step in.

"Our role is to enhance service to the business community," Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Kelly said. "We can play a marketing role by letting the public know and getting the word out."

 

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