Sue Pitts, regional director of the Iowa Western Community College Small Business Development Center in Council Bluffs, was named the 2011 Iowa “State Star” by the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).

Small business owners with eligible commercial real estate mortgages maturing after Dec. 31, 2012, will be able to secure more stable, long-term financing through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s temporary 504 refinancing program.

Kelly Heysinger and Gina Blean, owners of Unified Therapy Services, Inc. in Dubuque will receive their award at National Small Business Week.