2008-2012 Strategic Plan

The 2008-2012 Strategic Plan was developed to guide the SBDC program through the year 2012. This comprehensive Strategic Plan outlines specific goals and strategic objectives for the Pennsylvania SBDC to accomplish during this 5-year period.

2011 Annual Report

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) network continues to make an impact across the Commonwealth by leveraging partnerships and maximizing funding available for its programs.  Highlights of the 2011 funding cycle include:

• 794 clients reported buying or starting a business
• 2,917 jobs were created, with 4,093 jobs saved
• More than $179 million dollars of increased sales were reported by SBDC clients
• 10,187 individuals were educated during 595 seminars and workshops across the Commonwealth
• 61 percent of clients assisted were woman and jointly-owned firms; 22 percent counted themselves as minority firms
• More than $118 million dollars in start-up and expansion capital was raised
• 47 SBA-guaranteed loans and investments were approved totaling  over $21 million dollars
• 327 non-SBA loans were approved, totaling in excess of $56 million dollars
• 18 businesses received Small Business Innovation Research/ Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) funding in amounts totaling more than one million dollars

In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), host institutions and partners, the Pennsylvania SBDC provided a total of 100,123 hours of no-fee management consulting to 7,085 clients.  View the entire annual report for more details:

2011 Semi-Annual Report

In the first half of calendar year 2011, the SBDC delivered 49,391 hours of no-fee management consulting and 6,024 individuals and firms benefited directly from 347 educational programs. The Pennsylvania SBDC network also responded to numerous inquiries, circulated printed materials, updated websites, and provided critical information to partners to address small business concerns.

Highlights include:

• Start-up assistance for unemployed individuals pursuing business ownership;
• Alternate sources of capital for businesses experiencing tighter lending requirements and restricted credit lines;
• Survival strategies for existing businesses seeing a decrease in sales, including those presented in “Gaining Ground in an Economic Slowdown” workshops; and
• Industry-specific outreach to businesses looking to enter new markets.

Impact resulting from these activities is evidenced by the success stories and described in detail throughout the report:

2010 Annual Report

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers continued to face challenges in 2010. The main challenge was to ensure the delivery of quality consulting an educational programming to small businesses across the Commonwealth given the continued reduction of state funding support. Even with reduced resources, the Pennsylvania SBDC program was able to maintain its position as a leader in starting businesses and diversifying Pennsylvania’s local economies. The 18 Centers provided timely consulting, education, and information to new and existing business owners resulting in:

• The emergence of new companies;
• The prevention of business failures and additional job losses through cost-saving measures;
• New jobs created by new companies and also existing companies that expanded domestic and international sales;
• Tax revenues generated by increased payroll and profitability;
• Tax revenues sustained by companies that were helped to stay in business.

In partnership with the US Small Business Administration, the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development, host institutions and partners, the Pennsylvania SBDC provided a total of 101,739 hours of consulting services to 8,205 clients in 2010. View the full annual report for more details:

2010 Semi-Annual Report

In 2010, the small business community continued to deal with the evolving nature of the economic downturn. Several regions were also affected by large employers downsizing or closing due to economic pressures. Unemployment remains at or near double digit levels across the Commonwealth. In response to these continued challenges, the SBDC network reexamined its service delivery, its position in the marketplace, and the needs of its clients.

Individuals, whose present or future outlooks on employment are slim, find themselves seeking self employment as a final option. Many more turned to the SBDC with the idea of starting their own business in the first half of 2010.

Demand for one-on-one consulting continues to increase, and the SBDC is working to help small businesses cut costs, establish new marketing strategies, and not only survive, but thrive, in the current economic conditions.

More detail is included in the 2010 Semi-Annual Report:

2009 Annual Report

The global recession, marked by rampant business failure, foreclosures, and soaring unemployment, left an indelible impact on the business landscape in 2009.  Small businesses in Pennsylvania and across the nation continued to struggle in efforts to access capital and convince wary consumers to buy products and services. The Pennsylvania SBDC continued its efforts to help small firms respond to the recession’s effects and engage partners in shaping the recovery, resulting in:

• The emergence of new industries and companies, often led by dislocated workers;
• The prevention of business failures and additional jobs losses through cost-saving measures;
• New jobs created by new companies and existing companies that expanded domestic and international sales;
• Tax revenues generated by payroll and sales increases that support other critical services.

In partnership with the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development, the US Small Business Administration, host institutions and partners, the Pennsylvania SBDC is pleased to report a total of 9,746 clients received 133,984 hours of consulting services in 2009. For more detailed information, please review the full network annual report:

2009 Semi-Annual Report

Recent numbers indicate the US economy is improving after a tumultuous year for small businesses, in which many were adversely affected by the housing downturn, declining sales, and a grudging credit market. In the first half of 2009, the Pennsylvania SBDC continued to help small firms respond to the recession’s effects, engaging partners in efforts to shape the recovery.

The 2009 Semi-Annual Report reviews the economic environment and activities of the centers to support small businesses from January-June 2009.

2008 Annual Report

The Pennsylvania SBDC network reports an impressive level of entrepreneurial activity despite the many challenges presented in the past year. A total of 9,385 clients received 148,796 hours of consulting services in 2008.

As a result, laid-off workers began their own ventures. Better-positioned businesses retained jobs and pursued niche market opportunities. Strong companies grew sales and added jobs, even as large corporations posted enormous losses.

The following offers an overview of activities for calendar year 2008. For more detailed information, please review the full network annual report.