UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) celebrated its 25th anniversary of assisting Pennsylvania small business owners and entrepreneurs on May 2. The celebration included Penn State SBDC clients, who spoke to how they benefited from its services, as well as ecosystem partners and stakeholders, including members of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the office of Rep. Glenn Thompson.
During the celebration, Thompson's office presented Penn State SBDC Director Tim Keohane with a certificate of recognition, which honors the SBDC’s 25 years of service.
“We are proud to celebrate our 25th anniversary alongside our ecosystem partners, stakeholders and clients,” Keohane said. “The impact of our work not only benefits our local small businesses, but also extends throughout the state, helping to build stronger communities. It is an honor to have served more than 6,100 clients during our first 25 years, and we look forward to providing essential services to small business owners for the years to come.”
Serving Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Mifflin counties, the Penn State SBDC provides entrepreneurs with the education, information and tools necessary to build successful businesses. In 2022, it served more than 500 clients, helped start 36 new businesses and raised more than $32 million in capital. Since its inception, it has helped develop more than 1,100 business plans, totaled almost $173 million in capital formation, and run more than 1,250 educational programs. More than 26,000 attendees have benefited from SBDC educational programs.
“The Penn State SBDC team does such great work,” Pennsylvania SBDC Lead Office State Director Ernie Post said during the celebration. “I want to congratulate all of you for 25 years of this important milestone on behalf of the lead office and the entire Pennsylvania SBDC network that consists of 15 centers throughout the commonwealth. Penn State is right in the middle of everything that is going on in the commonwealth, and they’ve done such great work and always have been one of our most innovative centers.”
Founded in 1997, the Penn State SBDC has provided 1-on-1 consulting and educational programs to companies, in addition to other resources. Several of these companies were featured at the event, including Wilson’s Meat & Groceries, which used the SBDC to help its grocery store become more energy efficient, and Labels by Pulizzi, which used the SBDC to help develop a business plan and financial projections.
"Had we not had the help of the SBDC, it would have been a lot more challenging to complete our business projections and finalize our business plan," said Selina Pulizzi, vice president and co-owner of Labels by Pulizzi. "Penn State SBDC Business Consultant Tom Keiffer was integral in helping us complete those things and complete them correctly. Without his help and guidance, I'm not sure we would have received financing."
In addition to Wilson’s Meat & Groceries and Labels by Pulizzi, other featured clients included Heartland Retirement Personal Care Home, Webster’s Bookstore Cafe, and Xact Metal.
For community members with small business questions or needs, the Penn State SBDC has several upcoming events. The next event, “The First Steps to Small Business Success,” will highlight the key aspects of starting a business. This seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 9, and there is no cost to register to attend.
From Nov. 13-19, the SBDC will celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) and hold presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities geared specifically to entrepreneurs, local startups, and innovators. More information can be found at the GEW Penn State website.
About the Penn State SBDC
Funding support and resources are provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration; by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development; and in part through support from Penn State and with assistance from Lock Haven University. All services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government.
SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. The Penn State SBDC services Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, and Mifflin counties in central Pennsylvania.