Lock Haven Express
On Feb. 5, Gov. Tom Corbett presented his 2013-14 budget and reiterated the important role of small businesses in the Commonwealth’s economy and to creating jobs.
A core component of the Commonwealth’s strategy to support a strong small business sector is the statewide network of 18 Small Business Development Centers. The governor’s proposed budget maintains level funding for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) program, which is partially funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance program.
“We are pleased to see continued funding to support small businesses owners and entrepreneurs. After all, it is growing companies that hire people,” said Pennsylvania SBDC State Director Christian Conroy.
The governor’s proposed budget for DCED places an emphasis on public/private partnerships, international business development, and deploying state resources to support private sector job creation and business growth.
The Pennsylvania SBDC is proud to contribute to Gov. Corbett’s budget priorities, in particular, job creation and contributing to economic growth in Pennsylvania. In fact, the most recent independent analysis of the program found the SBDCs helped companies increase their sales by more than $500 million, which lead to over 14,000 jobs created and saved in 2011, the most recent year studied. As a result, the SBDC provides a return of more than $6 in new tax revenue for every dollar invested in it.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Corbett administration and DCED to build on our record of helping small business owners and entrepreneurs expand and grow their businesses,” said Conroy.
The SBDCs also support Governor Corbett’s other key priorities for DCED:
Public/private partnerships: SBDCs are a public/private partnership with some of Pennsylvania’s most innovative and prestigious institutions of higher education to serve small businesses and entrepreneurs in all 67 counties across the Commonwealth. These host institutions provide financial support through direct and indirect contributions to the SBDC program.
International business development: More than 90 percent of the 18 SBDCs located in Pennsylvania have a certified International Trade Specialist on-staff ready to assist businesses looking to explore their export potential. International business services, including international market analysis, development of trade leads and creation of marketing materials, are just some of the services offered by the Pennsylvania SBDC. From July 1, 2011 to July 30, 2012, the Pennsylvania SBDC network helped businesses increase exports of Pennsylvania products and services around the world by more than $58.6 million.
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The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers support the economic development of Pennsylvania by providing entrepreneurs and small businesses with individual consultation, comprehensive education and information necessary to help their businesses start, grow and prosper.