The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) network were jointly recognized in December for their quarterly small business survey with a national "Vision 2000" award for leadership in small business issues by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.

Designed to showcase outstanding initiatives in 10 categories that advance small business programs and policies, the national awards were presented at the two-day Vision 2000: The States and Small Business Conference in Washington, D.C.

"The Small Business Barometer, now in its sixth year, represents a unique and productive partnership of the public and private sector for the benefit of businesses and government in Michigan," said SBAM President and CEO Gary M. Woodbury. "As a source of information about small business impressions and experiences over a long period of time, the Small Business Barometer research project has no peer."

"We have a network of more than 80 offices providing counseling and training to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and those who wish to be," said MI-SBDC State Director Ronald R. Hall. "Keeping a pulse on what the small business community is experiencing and anticipating helps shape the programs we deliver."

The Small Business Barometer research project began in 1993 with polling more than 250 small business employers three times a year and, beginning in 1997, on a quarterly basis. The survey, covering sales, employee availability, wages, profitability, major capital investment and topics of current interest to the small business community, is designed and analyzed by Public Policy Associates of Lansing, Michigan, and the Survey Research & Evaluation Services of the Center for Urban Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit.

The analysis of the answers is widely distributed as the Small Business Barometer newsletter to small business owners, policy makers and the news media.

The next Small Business Barometer results will be released Jan. 3, 2000.

For more information contact: Jeanne Gerritsen, 313.964.1798 ext. 233.