Program History

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.

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 24,300 new businesses

Obtain over $2.1 billion in start-up and expansion capital

Expand sales by $8.7 billion, including over $2.1 billion in government contracts and $1.3 billion in export sales

Create over 104,800 new jobs at an average cost of $1,145 per job

Generate more than $796 million in new tax revenues

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

1980	University of Pennsylvania State Director's Office Bucknell University SBDC & Engineering Development Services Lehigh University SBDC University of Pittsburgh SBDC University of Scranton SBDC Wharton SBDC Wilkes University SBDC
1981	Clarion University SBDC Duquesne University SBDC Gannon University SBDC
1982	Temple University SBDC
1983	Saint Francis University SBDC
1987	Government Marketing Assistance Program begins Pennsylvania SBDC receives ASBDC certification for first time
1988	Saint Vincent College SBDC
1991	WISE Program begins
1992	Kutztown University SBDC
1993	Pennsylvania SBDC re-certified by ASBDC
1997	Lock Haven University SBDC Pennsylvania State University SBDC Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) begins
1998	Pennsylvania SBDC re-certified by ASBDC
2000	General Assembly appropriates, and Governor Ridge supports, funding to expand the Environmental Management Assistance Program statewide
2003	Pennsylvania SBDC accredited by ASBDC Governor Rendell recommends a $400,000 increase (7%) for the Pennsylvania SBDC for FY 2004 in the face of a $2 billion deficit Indiana University SBDC
2004	Material Trader website launched Re-branding initiative launched
2005	Ask EMAP launched
2006	SBDC client sales increase surpasses $1.3 billion Pennsylvania SBDC accredited by ASBDC including Technology accreditation Six PA small businesses helped by EMAP win ENERGY STAR Awards (of 8 winners nationally)
2007	Shippensburg University SBDC Widener University SBDC Manure Trader website launched EMAP receives ENERGY STAR Small Business Network Award