The director of Kaskaskia College’s Illinois Small Business Development Center, Steve Groner of Nashville, received the Illinois State Star award at the America’s Small Business Development Centers national conference in September.  The award recognizes individuals that have performed well in producing results and providing effective assistance to their respective state organizations.  One advisor in each state receives this award annually, and Groner was selected from over 100 trained advisors in Illinois.  Groner says the purpose of the Center is for those wanting to begin a business or those that already have one, but have questions or need help.  He works with approximately 300 clients annually in the counties of Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Marion and Washington.  Groner says it can be intimidating to ask for help but that is what they are there for.  Groner has spent much of his career in marketing and management for manufacturing companies before coming to ISBDC to provide mentoring, coaching, and teaching services to the area.  He has lived in Nashville for over twenty years and has been involved in the Centralia and Nashville communities.