Small Business Development Center to host SBDC Day reception

On Wednesday, March 15, the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will celebrate SBDC Day, a nationally recognized commemoration of the America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) impact on the success of our nation’s small businesses. 

Community members are encouraged to join the celebration of SBDC Day at the Penn State Technology Center located at Innovation Park from 2 to 3:30 pm to learn more about how the SBDC can help businesses start, grow, and prosper. 

Ecosystem partners Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, the Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) will share how their organizations can further support small businesses owners and entrepreneurs.   

After the session, attendees will be invited to a networking reception with light refreshments to connect with participating organizations and local entrepreneurs. Register in advance to attend. 

“In 2022 alone, the Penn State SBDC served more than 500 clients across Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, and Mifflin counties,” said Tim Keohane, director of the Penn State SBDC. “Our team of five business consultants helped clients start 36 new businesses, employ more than 1,400 individuals, and raise over $32 million in capital. I am overwhelmingly proud of the growth and success the business owners we support have seen this past year.” 

The SBDC will also be hosting a hybrid session entitled “The First Steps to Small Business Success” the morning of SBDC Day from 9 – 11 am. Attendees are encouraged to attend in-person at the Penn State Technology Center. The session is designed for people who are thinking about starting a business or who are in the early stages of starting. Register in advance to attend. 

Aspiring and existing small business owners in Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, and Mifflin counties seeking free confidential one-on-one consulting and educational seminars may visit the Penn State SBDC website to learn more. 

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 & 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. 

About the Pennsylvania SBDC
The Pennsylvania SBDC is the premier statewide economic development organization serving the Commonwealth’s entrepreneurs with no-cost, confidential consulting, advising, coaching, and mentoring education through our network of 15 centers, which are located regionally at many of our Commonwealth’s most prestigious institutions and serve every community in Pennsylvania. SBDCs empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses. SBDCs also provide guidance for long-term planning, economic loss estimations, recovery from a declared disaster, and business preparedness. The Pennsylvania SBDC is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. All programs of the Pennsylvania SBDC are open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information on the Pennsylvania SBDC services and impact, please visit www.pasbdc.org.