Julie Jaksha is the Butte Regional SBDC Director and 2019 State Star

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 2, 2019

CONTACT: Emilie Ritter Saunders, Communications Director | 406.841.2557 | esaunders@mt.gov

Butte Small Business Development Center Regional Director Wins National Excellence Award

HELENA, Mont. – During Thursday night’s annual celebration in Great Falls of small business leaders and Montana’s Small Business Development Center network, Julie Jaksha, Butte Regional SBDC Director was named the 2019 Montana “State Star.” The State Star is a national award that recognizes outstanding performers from Small Business Development Centers.

“Julie’s work in Southwest Montana has created a lasting impact on Montana’s small businesses and the state’s economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney. “Julie’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of small businesses across the region is remarkable, and this is well-deserved recognition.”

Jaksha‘s  SBDC office at Headwaters RC&D provides customized one-on-one consulting and training for start-up and existing businesses in a seven-county region which includes Powell, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Beaverhead and Madison counties.

“Julie provides leadership to our network through her strong commitment to Montana’s small businesses,” said SBDC State Director Chad Moore. “She takes the time to cover every aspect for her clients to achieve success and exemplifies the service Montana’s SBDC strives to provide on a daily basis.”

Julie Jaksha joined the SBDC network in 2009. Over the last decade, she has consulted more than 420 clients, assisted with launching more than 45 businesses, and helped her clients to secure almost $24 million in financing. Jaksha was also named the 2014 Montana State Star.

“Julie was amazing to work with and helped me gain the confidence I needed to grow my business,” said Mark Huntington, owner of Copper Tee in Butte and one of Jaksha’s clients.

Jaksha was honored Thursday at the U.S. Small Business Administration Awards in Great Falls along with other SBA Award winners from across the state. The event helps to kick off Small Business Week, May 5-11.

All 2019 State Stars will be nationally recognized at the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference that will take place September 3-6, 2019, in Long Beach, California.

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About Montana Small Business Development Centers

The Montana SBDC Network is funded in-part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Montana Department of Commerce that began in 1989. The Montana SBDC Lead Center, located in Helena, oversees administrative operations with satellite offices throughout the state. Montana SBDC's certified Business Consultants provide one-to-one management advising to small businesses at no cost to clients. For more information, visit sbdc.mt.gov.