PennWest Clarion
Small Business Development Center
No-Cost, Confidential Small Business Consulting
Serving Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Venango.
PennWest Clarion
Small Business Development Center
No-Cost, Confidential Small Business Consulting
Serving Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk,
Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Venango.
PennWest Clarion
Small Business Development Center
No-Cost, Confidential Small Business Consulting
Serving Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Venango.
BECOME A PENNWEST CLARION SBDC CLIENT
The Small Business Development Center at PennWest Clarion provides consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. The PennWest Clarion SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-on-one engagements to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more.
Learn what is needed to get your business started.
A joint initiative to help Pennsylvania agriculture businesses.
Learn more about our First Step Seminars and business skills workshops.
Our success is measured by the success of our clients. These are their stories.
PA Mushroom Co.
Esperanzo “Espo” Wilcox turned his lifelong passion for agriculture and fungi into PA Mushroom Company in January 2021. With guidance from the PennWest Clarion SBDC, Espo developed a business plan to secure a $10,000 AgChoice JumpStart grant, later earning an additional $25,000 as a finalist in the Ben Franklin/PA Wilds Big Idea Contest—funding that helped scale operations, expand growing facilities, and secure proper licensing through the PA Department of Agriculture.
Paul and Monica Miller fulfilled their dream of owning a campground by purchasing Forest Ridge Cabins & Campground in Forest County, Pennsylvania. Recognizing the need for strong planning and financial guidance, they sought help from the PennWest Clarion SBDC, where consultant Amy Keth assisted them in developing a detailed business plan and conducting financial and market analyses. They credit the PennWest Clarion SBDC and Amy’s guidance as critical to their success and continue to grow their business while expanding services in the PA Wilds Tourism Region.
The Meredith Inn
“The SBDC has helped us tremendously with navigating the waters of a new business and how to market ourselves. We have grown both personally and professionally during the time we have spent working with them.” –Emily Long, General Manager, The Meredith Inn
Woods & River, LLC
“You were able to turn our somewhat jumbled vision for our business into a tangible reality. We can’t begin to express our thanks.” — Erin Wanninger, Owner
Cady Hollow Campground
“I am so grateful for the experience working with Aleshia and I am sure that the reason we will be able to acquire financing for this venture will be due to all her hard work.” — Charissa Chiaravalloti, Co-Owner
HOW THE PENNWEST CLARION SBDC MADE AN IMPACT IN FY 2024
$13.3M+
CAPITAL FORMATION
59
NEW BUSINESS STARTS
733
CLIENTS SERVED
SBDC EVENTS
Looking to brush up on your business know-how? The SBDC’s offer educational programs geared towards entrepreneurs.
REGIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The latest events and opportunities for entrepreneurs:
- WEDnet Is Open For Business! There are some changes so check out their funding eligibility guidelines at wednetpa.com/FundingEligibility.
- The Small Business Advantage Grant provides 50% matching grants, up to a maximum of $7,000 to enable Pennsylvania small businesses to purchase energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment, or adopt waste reduction processes.