ABOUT

The Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center is one of 18 Small Business Development Centers in Pennsylvania and is an accredited affiliate of the National Network of Small Business Development Centers.

Our team of professional consultants works confidentially with entrepreneurs in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties to help their businesses maintain a competitive edge.

We can do the same for your business by helping you set goals, develop new products and services, gather sophisticated information about your industry, or find new global markets. Even better, we offer many of these services at absolutely no charge. All we ask is that you bring an open mind and a desire to gain the extra edge that will separate your business from the rest.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the network of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers is to grow the economy of Pennsylvania by providing entrepreneurs with the education, information and tools necessary to build successful businesses.

Helping you start, grow, and prosper

Whether you are looking to start a business, solve a problem facing your current business, or launch a new product, you need the help of a professional expert.

Our team of consultants offers an affordable and professional solution to this common dilemma. Whatever your challenge, a SBDC consultant is ready to meet with you, one-on-one to help you launch your business, discuss your existing business plan, or help you develop the strategies you need to meet your goals.

Our consulting services are offered free of charge and your information is always confidential. You’ll not only save money on hiring high-priced professional experts, you’ll also find ways to increase revenues and boost your bottom line.

We can offer a consultant who is uniquely qualified to help you create an effective strategy. Our consultants have expertise in:

• Accounting
• Banking
• Business Planning
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Management
• Financial Analysis
• International Business
• Marketing and Advertising
• Market Planning and Research
• Product Development
• Product Procurement
• Research
• Strategic Planning

PARTNERS
Partnerships are key to the success of the Pennsylvania SBDC program. The SBDC program is a public-private partnership that leverages the resources of government, higher education and the business community to facilitate the growth of Pennsylvania small firms. Funding support and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the 18 participating colleges and universities, local economic and community development organizations, the financial and professional communities, and the Defense Logistics Agency among others.

SERVICE PARTNERS
In order to meet the varied needs of entrepreneurs and small firms, the SBDCs are active participants in their communities through involvement with a wide range of public and private organizations. These relationships allow for cross referral of clients and cooperative consultation services and training programs. The SBDCs have strong working relationships with the following organizations among many others:

• Adams County Area Economic Development Corporation
• Ben Franklin Technology Partners
• Capital Regional Economic Development Corporation
• Franklin County Area Development Corporation
• Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Waynesboro Area Chamber of Commerce
• Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce
• Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
• Industrial Resource Center Network
• Murata Business Center
• PA Chamber of Business and Industry
• PA Department of Agriculture
• PA Department of Environmental Protection
• PA Department of Labor and Industry
• PA Department of Treasury
• PA Institute of Certified Public Accounts
• PA State Agricultural Cooperative Extension
• PA Technical Assistance Program
• PA Technical Assistance Program – eBusiness
• Pennsylvania Downtown Center
• Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce
• West Shore Chamber of Commerce
• World Trade Center
• York College J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship
• York SCORE

PROGRAM HISTORY

Since its inception in 1980, the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has evolved into a network of eighteen university based centers and more than ninety outreach locations operating under the guidance of the State Director located at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania SBDC provides consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a small business. SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in one-to-one sessions to help test a new business proposition, shape a business plan, or investigate funding opportunities. Addressing topics ranging from compliance issues to marketing tactics, SBDC programs serve to inform and assist entrepreneurs with the many tasks a new business owner faces.

Since 1990 alone, the SBDCs have helped Pennsylvania entrepreneurs:

• Start more than 22,000 new businesses
  
• Obtain over $1.8 billion in start-up and expansion capital
  
• Expand sales by $8.1 billion, including over $1.9 billion in government contracts and $1 billion in export sales
  
• Create over 97,800 new jobs at an average cost of $926 per job
  
• Generate more than $738 million in new tax revenues

Important milestones in the growth of the Pennsylvania SBDC network include:

FUNDING PARTNERS
The Shippensburg University SBDC is sponsored by Shippensburg University and the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers.

Funding support and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in part by a grant from the Department of Community & Economic Development, and by the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

      
An accredited affiliate of the national network of Small Business Development Centers