$21.4M Boosts PA Small Businesses via New Assistance Centers
Editorial StaffNew Initiative to Empower Small Businesses Across Pennsylvania
In a significant push to bolster small businesses, 11 new Business Assistance Service Centers are set to open across Pennsylvania, funded by the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program. This initiative aims to provide essential support to small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
HARRISBURG, PA – The Shapiro-Davis Administration is channeling $21,445,823 into the creation of 11 Business Assistance Service Centers aimed at empowering small businesses across Pennsylvania. This announcement was made by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis alongside Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger. The initiative is part of the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program, aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for underrepresented businesses in the state. Learn more about the program.
These centers will offer technical assistance and business support services to facilitate access to capital, enhance economic empowerment, and increase the number of historically disadvantaged small businesses in Pennsylvania. Lt. Gov. Davis emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “Small businesses are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, which is why the Shapiro-Davis Administration is finding new ways to offer meaningful support directly to our small business owners.”
DCED Secretary Siger echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative nature of economic development and the role these centers will play in providing much-needed resources to small businesses. “Economic development is a team sport, and programs like the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program help ensure that our small businesses have the right tools and the right partner to help them succeed,” he said.
These centers will offer a range of services including one-on-one business counseling, accounting assistance, employer responsibility training, and support in contract procurement. They will also help identify local resources to aid small businesses. To ensure inclusivity, bilingual staff and translation services will be available to make these resources accessible to everyone.
Various organizations will receive funding to establish these centers, including:
- $1,979,133 to the Chester County Economic Development Council for multiple counties.
- $1,800,000 to Covation Center, INC for statewide support.
- $1,635,097 to the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center for several counties.
- $1,222,500 to the Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation for support in the northwestern region.
- $2,190,524 to Greenline Access Capital for southeastern counties.
- $2,156,887 to Lehigh University for eastern Pennsylvania.
- $943,337 to North Side Industrial Development Company for southwestern Pennsylvania.
- $1,948,736 to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance for northeastern counties.
- $5,840,690 to the Pennsylvania CDFI Network for central and southeastern regions.
- $1,136,200 to Seton Hill University for the southwestern part of the state.
- $592,719 to the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center for the Philadelphia area.
For more information on the full list of the recipients’ partner organizations, visit this link.
The Shapiro-Davis Administration's efforts are yielding tangible results, with a remarkable 45% growth in spending with Black-owned and Latino-owned businesses over the past two years. For the first time, Pennsylvania has exceeded $1 billion in contracts with small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses for two consecutive years.
Governor Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis have been proactive in driving economic progress through site development, small business growth, and workforce development, while also streamlining the state's permitting and certification processes. This momentum is further backed by Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal, which seeks to enhance the state's competitiveness through strategic economic investments, including funding for workforce development and business attraction initiatives.
