The Support Services Alliance, Inc. presented Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli (D-Syracuse, Geddes, Van Buren) with the 2008 Small Business Champion of the Year Award. The award recognizes Magnarelli’s efforts to improve New York’s small-business community.

“Assemblyman Magnarelli has always been responsive to the issues and concerns of SSA and our small business members. He has helped SSA advance our Simplify NY agenda to make it easier for small businesses to interact with State agencies,” stated Chris Koetzle, SSA Vice President of Membership Services. “He has supported a property tax cap and the other recommendations of the Commission on Property Tax Relief.

“He has also been an active participant in SSA's "Take Your Legislator to Work Day" program. We thank Assemblyman Magnarelli for always being a good friend to SSA and our small business members, and look forward to continue working with him to make Upstate a better place to operate a small business,” said Koetzle.

Magnarelli received the award Friday at Pastabilities, 311 S. Franklin St., Syracuse.

“Small business owners are no longer just competing with other stores down the street, but also those across the world. To remain competitive, they must navigate the ever changing technology and business world,” Magnarelli said. “Thriving small businesses affect the economy of local communities. I feel strongly that helping to improve the small business community will help New York’s economy as a whole.”

SSA is a membership organization serving thousands of members statewide. It offers 20 different programs and services designed to help small businesses grow, including innovative health insurance options, state government advocacy, and payroll solutions. For more information, visit the Support Services Alliance Web site.