Bestwork Industries provides training/employment for blind and visually impaired
CHERRY HILL -- For 35 years, Bestwork Industries for the Blind Inc. in Cherry Hill has been providing training and employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired adults, by engaging them in the manufacturing of a variety of products. Bestwork's customers include the U.S. Military, the General Services Administration, the State of New Jersey and commercial firms.
Founded in 1981 by James Varsaci, a veteran who lost his sight during World War II, Bestwork, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with 82 employees, manufactures military clothing, safety clothing, vinyl tool bags, laundry nets, and polishing and wiping cloths. Bestwork also provides non-sterile examination gloves, adult briefs and industrial paper wipes to its customers.
When Bestwork looked to expand its presence within South Jersey, it turned to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA)'s Small Business Fund for support. Through the fund, Bestwork, which is now led by President and Chief Executive Officer Belinda Moore, received a TD Bank loan with a 33 percent EDA participation. Bestwork used the funding to purchase its new, larger facility on Olney Avenue in Cherry Hill.
"At 50,000 square feet, our new location is nearly double the space that we had been using," Moore said. "We are grateful that the Small Business Fund has enabled us to expand into a larger location, increasing our manufacturing capabilities and reaching a broader customer base.
The Small Business Fund offers assistance to qualified businesses and not-for-profits through direct loans, participations or guarantees, with a fixed interest rate and an expedited approval process. To be eligible, businesses must be in operation for at least one full year and not-for-profit corporations must be operating for at least three full years.
EDA President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Lizura visited the company recently. His visit complements the EDA's enhanced efforts to facilitate awareness of the programs it offers to support small and mid-sized businesses and not-for-profits, including a print and digital marketing campaign and social media channels. Centered on the theme "EDA Was Here," the campaign and new social media presence highlight how organizations like Bestwork have used the EDA's financing programs to overcome challenges, meet their needs and grow. Through its small business lending programs, the EDA provided 55 companies with more than $32 million in assistance in 2015.
To learn about EDA resources for small businesses and not-for-profits, visit http://www.njeda.com/small_midsize_business. To learn more about opportunities for business growth throughout New Jersey, visit the state's business portal at www.NewJerseyBusiness.gov or call the Business Action Center at 866-534-7789.
This item submitted by Lisa Levy, Princeton Partners.
