Santa Cruz County-based Water Star Motors Named Small Business of the Year by John Laird

Certified Green Business Hailed as Small Business Model

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today named Water Star Motors as Small Business of the Year in association with California Small Business Day.  Water Star Motors owners Henry and Lisa Carter will be honored in Sacramento tomorrow for their tireless efforts to follow “green” business practices in their auto repair business.  Mr. Laird selected Water Star Motors because it has been certified as a green business by the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program, in association with Ecology Action.

“Water Star Motors is leading the way on the Central Coast on green business practices,” said Assemblymember Laird.  “By enthusiastically maintaining certification as a green business, Water Star Motors is making a strong statement about the value of doing well as a business by doing good for the environment.  I’m proud to name Water Star Motors as 2007 Small Business of the Year for the 27th Assembly District.”

About Water Star Motors

Water Star Motors is a family-owned-and-operated auto repair shop located in Santa Cruz.  Now in its 12th year of business, Water Star Motors specializes in imported cars and uses ASE-certified mechanics.  For more information, visit http://www.waterstarmotors.com.

About the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program

The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program is a successful partnership of environmental agencies, utilities and nonprofit organizations that assist, recognize and promote businesses and government agencies that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible way. To be certified "green," participants must be in compliance with all regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. The program offers motivated businesses and agencies an easy-to-use framework for improving environmental performance.  For more information, visit http://www.montereybaygreenbusiness.org/index.html.  

About the Small Business of the Year Award

Each year the California Small Business Association convenes California Small Business Day in Sacramento, CA. California Small Business Day was unanimously passed in 2000 by the California State Assembly as Resolution No. 5, the resolution resolved that the Assembly in recognition of the importance of small business to the economy of the state declares a Wednesday of May each year California Small Business Day. The day’s focus is on giving small business in California the recognition they deserve for their outstanding contributions to California. The day is comprised of speakers and an open dialogue with important legislative leaders. These honorees are hand-selected by legislators for their dedication and service within the district.