WEST CALDWELL, NJ, October 15, 2026 ~ The Essex County Office of Small Business Development (OSBD) set an ambitious goal for its Small Business Summit of 200 local businesses into one room with the people and programs that can help them grow.
The response went further. Over 225+ businesses attended, surpassing the goal and filling Essex County College's West Caldwell Campus with entrepreneurs, lenders, public agency leaders, resource vendors, and training partners for a full morning of connection and opportunity.
From the first cup of coffee at registration to the final award presented at adjournment, the summit delivered on a simple promise: small business owners should not have to navigate growth alone.
The Essex County Office of Small Business Development exists to help local entrepreneurs build stronger, more competitive businesses. The office connects business owners to certification, government contracting opportunities, financing, training, and the network of public and private partners that support growth across the county.
The summit brought that mission to life in a single place. Its central theme, bridging the resource gap, reflected a reality many small business owners know well: the support exists, but finding it, understanding it, and accessing it can be overwhelming. By gathering lenders, state and federal agencies, workforce partners, and resource vendors under one roof, OSBD gave business owners direct, face-to-face access to the people who can open doors.
The day opened with registration, resource vendor networking, and a continental breakfast, giving attendees time to meet exhibitors and one another before the program began. Dr. Willie Tolbert, Chair of the Essex County Workforce Development Board, delivered opening remarks. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Dr. Elvy M. Vieira, Dean of Community, Continuing Education, Workforce Development at Essex County College, West Caldwell Campus, extended a warm local welcome.
Keynote speaker Niurca Evangelista Louis, MTS, Deputy Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Department of State, set the tone for the day. With more than 20 years of experience leading system transformation across government and the nonprofit sector, she spoke to the power of strong systems, cross-sector partnership, and inclusive prosperity. Her career includes service as Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and as Associate Commissioner at the NYC Administration for Children's Services, where she oversaw more than $350 million in programming across 40+ nonprofit partners.
The centerpiece panel, Bridging the Resource Gap, brought together leaders from county, state, federal, and private institutions to speak directly to business owners about the tools available to them:
Senator Renee C. Burgess, MPA, Director of the Essex County Small Business Development Office and State Senator for New Jersey's 28th Legislative District, the first African American State Senator from Irvington
Valentina C. Richardson Green, Director of the Essex County Division of Training and Employment, who oversees workforce development services through the Essex County One-Stop system
Christian J. Duncan, Vice President of Small Business Banking at Valley National Bank, who guides entrepreneurs on access to capital, cash flow management, and financial strategy
Lyndsay Kilpatrick, Deputy District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, New Jersey District Office
Michelle Osorio, Senior Small Business Liaison at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, who has helped thousands of business owners navigate the complexities of ownership in both Spanish and English
Together, the panelists offered a clear message: capital, counseling, workforce support, and contracting opportunities are within reach, and the agencies in the room are ready to help business owners access them.
One of the most energizing moments of the day came during the Small Business Pitch Contest, where local business owners delivered live presentations competing for the Growth Grant. Each presenter shared their vision, their progress, and their plans for growth before a panel of judges. Prizes of $500, $300, and $200 were awarded to the first, second, and third place winners, with the Small Business Pitch Awards generously sponsored by Valley National Bank.
Following judges' deliberation and a networking break, Valentina C. Richardson Green returned to the stage with a presentation on the Essex County Division of Training and Employment. She outlined the job-readiness services, pre-apprenticeship and training opportunities, on-the-job training, and earn-while-you-learn programs available to help businesses recruit and develop talent.
Beyond the stage, the summit functioned as a true marketplace of support. Resource vendors, training providers, lenders, and agency representatives were available throughout the morning, giving business owners the chance to ask questions, schedule follow-up conversations, and leave with concrete next steps.
For many attendees, these one-on-one conversations were the most valuable part of the day: a direct line to the people and programs that can help a business secure financing, earn certification, compete for contracts, or hire its next employee.
The summit closed with closing remarks, and adjournment, but the work it set in motion continues.
Surpassing the 200-business goal sends a clear signal: Essex County entrepreneurs are ready to grow, and they are actively seeking the partners, capital, and knowledge to do it.
"We are dedicated to helping our small businesses in the county fid the information and support to grow their businesses and more importantly to be prepared for contracts and increases in customers,” said Senator Renee C. Burgess, Director of the Essex County Small Business Development Office.
The Essex County Office of Small Business Development is grateful to County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County College, Valley National Bank, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Department of State, the Essex County Division of Training and Employment, the Essex County Workforce Development Board, and every vendor, training partner, and volunteer who made the day possible. Most of all, OSBD thanks the business owners who showed up, asked questions, and invested a morning in their own growth.
Business owners who missed the summit, or who want to continue the conversation, are encouraged to connect with OSBD for guidance on certification, government contracting, financing, and training resources. For more information call 973-621-2011 or visit https://www.ecsmallbiz.org
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