SBDC Advisor Newsletter Fall 2008 – Events



	in this issue SBDC News & Information SBDC Helps Researcher Gain $3.5 Million to Develop Power Packs Consultant Profile: George Boehm How to Thrive in an Economic Downturn Results of SBDC’s Defense Assistance Felt Ten Years Later Food Businesses Require Prep Time to Succeed Steps to Start a Specialty Food Business Capitol Views SPECIAL ISSUE: Presidential Candidates Forum Congress Working on Improvements to Small Business Innovation Research Bill Awards Events Bucknell SBDC 30th Anniversary Symposium Explores Gains of Going Green Environmental Assistance Conference Educational Programs First Step Workshops Educational Programs Want More? Get the Advisor in your Inbox Download PDF SBDC Services Return on Investment	Bucknell University SBDC Celebrates 30th Anniversary Senator Gordner emphasized the value of SBDC services to small businesses during the ceremony. Much like a small business, visionary leadership, a solid team, a strategic plan and the strong support of investors have enabled the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center to excel at serving small businesses in Juniata, Perry, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties for three decades. The Bucknell University was one of the first schools to participate in the early pilot project that resulted in the establishment of the Small Business Development Centers program in 1980. Because of the university’s strong engineering background, it also hosts the state’s Engineering Development Services, providing technical assistance to clients including engineering design, analysis, product development and prototype fabrication and testing. Officials including Senator John Gordner, Representatives Russ Fairchild and Merle Philips and Dee Kaplan, Deputy Secretary for Business Assistance at the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development, joined the SBDC this August for a celebratory anniversary luncheon. Each year, hundreds of small businesses are helped by the Bucknell University SBDC, receiving 8,000 to 9,000 hours of expert business management consulting. Several clients spoke at the event about their positive experiences with the SBDC, including Harold Kerlin and Russ Eisenhuth of Copper Kettle Brewery near Laurelton, who turned their beer-making hobby into a business this April with the SBDC’s help. “We took courses, seminars and it steered us in the right direction,” Eisenhuth remarked. “We’re still taking classes; it’s great to have them right down the road.” Other clients championing the program included Bryan Allison of Geisinger Ventures in Danville and Kelly O’Brien Gavin of ASET Solar in Bloomsburg. ASET Solar is looking to open a manufacturing site in Lewisburg in 2009.
	Vernam thanked his staff, the faculty and students that help make it happen, the organizations that provide financial support – including the Small Business Administration, Department of Community and Economic Development and Bucknell University – as well as the region’s legislators. Sen. Gordner said he is approached by individuals who have innovative ideas and commented that the first place he will send them is the SBDC. “Small business is the backbone of the economy,” he said. “They need to grow and thrive; it’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm.” Deputy Secretary Kaplan observed the importance of small business to the economy, recognizing that businesses with more than 500 employees lost a total of 52,000 jobs while small businesses added 7,000 jobs in the same time period. Other officials noted the SBDC’s continued importance in the face of an economic downturn, where small business ownership may be an avenue to consider in the wake of corporate layoffs. To date, the Pennsylvania SBDCs have worked with thousands of clients that have started more than 24,300 new businesses and created more than 100,000 jobs. For more information, visit www.bucknell.edu/sbdc.
	Symposium Explores the Gains of Going Green Eco-innovation and green marketing expert Jacquelyn Ottman, of J. Ottman Consulting, offered insights on green design as the keynote speaker. What is “green building” and its benefits? Over 60 people participated in a Green Technology Symposium presented by the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center and College of Engineering in July to find out. The event offered an introduction to green building, how to market green building products, and what incentives are available to businesses looking to implement innovative new green technologies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, electric deregulation and the rising price of oil are issues that everyone must face, whether as home owners, consumers, or business operators. In the United States, buildings account for 39 percent of total energy use and 68 percent of total electricity consumption. Green building is a way to build structures that are more energy and resource efficient, and, in addition to their economic benefits, can greatly improve occupant health and comfort. Benefits include reduced operating costs, improved occupant productivity and better life-cycle economic performance, said featured speakers, including representatives from the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania, the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, Bucknell University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, the Pennsylvania SBDC Environmental Management Assistance Program, SEDA-COG and marketing consultants to Fortune 500 companies. Throughout the day, the concept of sustainability was also explored as a strong partner to the market drivers influencing the adoption of greener products and green building techniques. “Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” Jon Vernam, director of the SBDC explained. “We have a larger responsibility: to sustain – if not enhance – our natural environment and our nation’s economy for future generations.” To tap into additional green resources, visit the Pennsylvania SBDC’s statewide Environmental Management Assistance Program site at www.askemap.org.
	Pennsylvania Hosts Small Business Environmental Assistance Conference Widener University SBDC client Kevin McGroarty, President of Innerstate Sales, describes new lighting technology for conference attendees. Pennsylvania SBDC’s Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection cohosted the Small Business Ombudsman/Small Business Environmental Assistance Program National Conference June 17-20, 2008 in Harrisburg. EMAP was also instrumental in the introduction and unanimous passage of PA House Resolution 808 welcoming the conference to Harrisburg and recognizing the outstanding work of the state small business ombudsmen and small business environmental assistance programs. This conference was designed specifically for state environmental programs, other small business environmental assistance providers, the US Environmental Protection Agency and small businesses. Session topics ranged from technical rule and policy updates to program and personal development issues, and attendees were encouraged to share compliance assistance tools to help small businesses with their environmental needs. For more information, visit www.sbeapconference.com.