FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 12, 2005  

On Friday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m., the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be presenting Alternatives Federal Credit Union with the "Top Lender in the Southern Tier” in the category based on bank asset size under $1 Billion. The award will be presented by B.J. Paprocki, SBA Syracuse District Director.  Also in attendance will be Howard Garrity, Economic Development Specialist, and Brian Qualey, Branch Manager of the Elmira SBA office.

“During the past three years Alternatives has not only increased the number of small business loans in the area but also the amount of dollars loaned out. The SBA feels the Credit Union is a valuable source of financing to the small business community in the Tompkins County area,” says Pappocki of Alternatives winning this award.

Two local businesses, who received funding from Alternatives through the SBA program, will speak about their success stories.  Dr Li, who owns Che-Yu Li, LLC, has several patents used for testing equipment in the manufacturing of microchips.  His company licenses its technology to outside manufacturers through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreement
Finger Lake Beverage Center LLC, owned by Pat, Jackie and Nick Moe, is a family-owned and operated beverage center that stocks over 130 different gourmet sodas and 600 kinds of beer.

This event will be held at Alternatives Federal Credit Union, 125 N. Fulton Street, Ithaca in the 2nd Floor Board Room.

CONTACT:  Ellen Minnis, Marketing Director; 273-4611 x 854

Alternatives Federal Credit Union
125 N. Fulton Street
Ithaca  NY 14850