Business Briefs

LeTip, a networking group, is now forming in Manalapan. A free breakfast mixer will be held to provide an opportunity to meet and network with fellow business contacts in the area. The event will be held Nov. 18, 7-8:30 a.m. at Manalapan Diner, 48 Route 9 north, Manalapan. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 5 to Judy, (732) 972-8290. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. Attendees should bring business cards.

For more information, visit www.Letip.com.

Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly general meeting Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. at the chamber office, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Guest speaker Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, will be discuss the national and state elections and programs that will shape the local business climate. The fee is $10 per person and includes continental breakfast. To register or for further details, call the chamber office, (732) 462-3030; fax (732) 462-2123; or e-mail admin@wmchamber.com.

John R. Cocozza, Matawan, a local Edward Jones investment representative, recently accepted an offer to establish an office in Freehold. Edward Jones is a financial services consulting firm that advises only individual investors, and offers investments such as certificates of deposit, taxable and non-taxable bonds, and mutual funds. For more information, visit the Web site at www.edwardjones.com.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is searching for outstanding New Jersey small-business owners and small-business champions who will be honored during National Small Business Week in April.

According to James A. Kocsi, SBA New Jersey district director, nominations are being sought for “New Jersey’s Small Business Person of the Year” and for outstanding “SBA Small Business Champions” in the areas of minority, women, veteran, financial services, home-based business, and “Small Business Journalist of the Year.” They are also seeking candidates for “Small Business Exporter of the Year,” “Young Entrepreneur of the Year,” and an “SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year.”

Kocsi stated that they are looking to individuals, local chambers of commerce, banks, trade associations, and other community-based business organizations to submit nominations and sponsor candidates.

The SBA will join with the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce in recognizing its Small Business Week award winners at the eighth annual New Jersey Small Business Conference scheduled to be held April 22 at the Hyatt Hotel in New Brunswick.

Nominations should be submitted to the SBA Newark District Office at 2 Gateway Center, 15th Floor, Newark 07102. The deadline for all nominations is Dec. 6. Details: (973) 645-6064 or e-mail harry.menta@sba.gov. Nomination guidelines may be downloaded at www.sba.gov/nj/sba05nominations.pdf.