What Is the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program?
Pennsylvania is committed to helping small, historically disadvantaged businesses succeed and grow. Through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance (HDBA) Program, specialized support is provided to business owners from communities that have faced barriers to economic opportunity. By partnering with nonprofits, local economic development groups, and educational institutions, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provides tools and resources to help these businesses secure funding, grow, and access government contracts.
How SBDCs Are Involved and How to Request Advising
HDBA support is delivered through a statewide network of 11 Business Assistance Service Centers (BASCs), each serving as a local hub for personalized, free or low-cost business assistance — including one-on-one counseling, financial and accounting guidance, compliance training, and help accessing government contracts. Five of these BASCs partner directly with/or are Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to deliver advising: Duquesne SBDC, Lehigh SBDC, Greenline Access Capital (Southeast PA BASC), the PA CDFI Network, and Northeastern PA Alliance. To connect with the center serving your area, use the interactive map or county dropdown on DCED’s Business Assistance Service Centers page, or consult the BASC fact sheet for a full regional breakdown.
Supporting the creation, sustainability, and growth of small, historically disadvantaged businesses across our state.
The Five SBDC-Affiliated BASCs
Duquesne SBDC’s BASC – Led by Duquesne University SBDC, with University of Pittsburgh SBDC, St. Francis University SBDC, St. Vincent University SBDC, and PennWest University SBDC. Other partners include: Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Asian Chamber of Commerce; Three Rivers Business Alliance; Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce; and Colorful Voices.
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- Serves Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
Lehigh SBDC’s BASC – Led by Lehigh University SBDC, with Wilkes University SBDC, Kutztown University SBDC, and The University of Scranton SBDC.
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- Serves Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill Counties.
PA Southeast Business Assistance Center – Led by Greenline Access Capital, with Widener University SBDC and Temple University SBDC.
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- Serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.
PA CDFI Network BASC – Led by the Pennsylvania CDFI Network, with Gannon University SBDC, Bucknell University SBDC, Shippensburg University SBDC, Penn State SBDC, and PennWest Clarion SBDC, in partnership with JARI Growth Fund, Neighborhood Community Development Fund, ASSETS, Finanta, Entrepreneur Works Fund, and Neighborhood Progress Fund.
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- Serves counties across the Southeast, Lehigh Valley, Central, and Southwest regions.
NEPA BASC – Led by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, with Wilkes University SBDC and The University of Scranton SBDC.
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- Serves Bradford, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties.