ITHACA, N.Y.- Alternatives Federal Credit Union was recently honored with the SBA's Top Lender in the Southern Tier award. “During the past three years Alternatives has not only increased the number of small business loans in the area but also the amount of dollars loaned out,” said B.J. Paprocki, SBA Syracuse district director. “The SBA feels the credit union is a valuable source of financing to the small business community in the Tompkins County area.” SBA officials presented the $49 million CU with the “Top Lender in the Southern Tier” award at a Dec. 16 ceremony. The award recognizes financial institutions with asset sizes under $1 billion. At the ceremony, two local businesses, who received funding from Alternatives through the SBA program, spoke about their success stories. Dr Li, who owns Che-Yu Li, LLC, has several patents used for testing equipment in the manufacturing of microchips. His company licenses its technology to outside manufacturers through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreement. Finger Lake Beverage Center LLC, owned by Pat, Jackie and Nick Moe, is a family-owned and operated beverage center that stocks over 130 different gourmet sodas and 600 kinds of beer.