The co-owners local construction company credit the Small Business Development Center at Clovis Community College with providing them expertise and training that has helped them expand their business.

M-Core Construction was recently honored with the SBDC's Success Client award for the CCC branch.

"They're a big help. They were instrumental in getting us where we're at," said Chris Moreno, who co-founded the company with his son A.J. Moreno in 2004.

Since then, the father and son team have expanded their operation to include Eastern New Mexico Glass in 2005. They currently have 13 employees and a new office in Las Vegas, Nev., as of last March. The company specializes in glazing and roofing.

A.J. Moreno said the SBDC has offered business-related workshops and training, as well as helped the Morenos through the process of becoming a Small Business Association 8(a) contractor, which allows them to receive assistance from the federal government to expand their business.

The New Mexico SBDC was created by the state Legislature in 1989 to provide support and education tools for small businesses. The location at CCC is one of 20 SBDC's located throughout the state. According to Sandra Taylor-Sawyer of the SBDC at CCC, the program is funded by the federal government through the Small Business Administration and the state of New Mexico. The CCC location sees about 250 clients per year.

"They were great clients to work with," said Taylor-Sawyer about the Morenos.

"Every year we look at the clients we've worked with," said Taylor-Sawyer, "and compare their business now, with how they were when they first came to us."

Sales, employee retention, growth, and community impact are other factors in deciding the award, according to Taylor-Sawyer. She said M-Core Construction's government contract work at Cannon AFB, and their expansion into Las Vegas Nev., while still contributing to New Mexico's economy and communities also influenced the decision to award the Morenos.

Chris and A.J. Moreno traveled to Santa Fe to accept award on Feb. 27 from Lt. Gov. John Sanchez. While in Santa Fe they had the opportunity to network with other recipients of the SBDC's Success Client award from other regions of the state. "We shared a lot of ideas and met a lot of good people." Chris Moreno said about his time in Santa Fe.

"Our goal is to be the premier glazier in Nevada and New Mexico," A.J. Moreno said.