The Shippensburg University Small Business and Development Center (SU SBDC) received renewed grants to continue its ongoing work providing no-cost confidential consulting and low-cost training to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties.
The US Small Business Administration partially awarded funding to the SU SBDC at the total of $115,716 to support the continuation of their valuable work in the region. The Department of Community and Economic Development renewed funding for the SBDC with $7,200 through the Engage grant and $92,704 through the Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance grant.
“I’m grateful and honored by the continued support from our funders at the US Small Business Administration, Department of Community and Economic Development and Shippensburg University. Their ongoing commitment to small business and entrepreneurial development not only provides technical assistance service, but also promotes economic development and job growth,” said Robin Burtner, director of Shippensburg University Small Business and Development Center.
In 2023, the SU SBDC served 624 clients in the region, and served over 1,800 clients in the last three years. The SU SBDC is part of a Pennsylvania Small Business and Development Network with 15 centers located across the state. Together they served 13,000 clients in 2023.
SU SBDC prioritizes several core functions in their work including, core business management advising and consulting to prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners and managers, educational programs and information resources for prospective entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The center also receives funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection through a subaward from Widener University to employ an Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) consultant. EMAP provides small business owners and prospective owners with environmental regulatory information and compliance assistance.
“For 17 years we have received the support of these funders, and I am looking forward to the future collaboration and growing our entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Ship region. These funds support key staff in our region that provide technical assistance to small businesses at no cost. In addition, the collaboration among the SBDC and the university cultivates experiential learning projects for Ship students that have direct societal impact on the region and clients,” said Burtner.
For more information on SU SBDC, visit: pasbdc.org/shippensburg
