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Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center to expand services to Dauphin County

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 18:19 GMT by Penn Live
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Shippensburg University’s Small Business Development Center Extends Reach Into Dauphin County

In a move that promises to strengthen Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Shippensburg University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced on September 1 2025 that it will extend its full suite of consulting, training, and financing‑assistance services into Dauphin County. The expansion, a partnership between the university, the state’s Small Business Development Center network, and local economic‑development agencies, marks a significant shift in the region’s support infrastructure for small‑to‑medium‑enterprise (SME) owners and startups.

Why Dauphin County?

Dauphin County, which houses the state capital Harrisburg, has long been a hotspot for small‑business growth. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the county has seen a 15 % increase in new business filings over the past three years, with many of these ventures concentrated in the technology, health‑care, and professional‑services sectors. Yet, despite this surge, local entrepreneurs reported a gap in accessible, expert guidance—particularly in areas such as business‑planning, grant writing, and workforce development.

“The need was clear,” said Dr. Maria Lopez, director of the Shippensburg SBDC. “Entrepreneurs in Dauphin County were telling us they wanted the same level of support they receive in the Mid‑Atlantic region, but the local infrastructure couldn’t keep pace. Expanding our footprint was a natural solution.”

How the Expansion Works

Rather than building a brand‑new office from scratch, the SBDC will set up a satellite “hub” in the downtown Harrisburg area, occupying a leased space within the city’s historic business district. The location will house a full-time team of certified business counselors, many of whom are alumni of the university’s MBA program. They will provide face‑to‑face consulting, group workshops, and on‑demand digital support via the SBDC’s existing online portal.

The university will also leverage its existing relationships with the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center network—an extensive statewide partnership that includes 21 SBDC offices and the “SBDC Partner” program. This network provides a national reach for grant and loan matchmaking, ensuring local businesses have access to the same funding pipelines as their counterparts in more populous regions.

Services on Offer

The expanded program will mirror the comprehensive suite already available in Shippensburg and surrounding counties. Key offerings include:

1. Business Planning & Strategy
   • Market‑analysis reports
   • Feasibility studies
   • 5‑year strategic roadmaps

2. Financing & Funding Assistance
   • SBA 7(a) and 504 loan counseling
   • Grants identification and application support (e.g., USDA Rural Development, Economic Development Administration)
   • Equity‑funding pitch deck workshops

3. Marketing & Digital Presence
   • Brand‑strategy sessions
   • SEO & social‑media training
   • E‑commerce best practices

4. Technology & Innovation
   • Digital‑transformation roadmaps
   • Cloud‑migration consulting
   • Cybersecurity best‑practice workshops

5. Human‑Capital Development
   • Workforce‑training alignment with the local talent pool
   • Partnerships with the Dauphin County Workforce Board
   • Apprenticeship and internship facilitation

6. Compliance & Regulatory Guidance
   • Licensing and permitting assistance
   • Tax‑planning workshops

Each service is delivered by certified Business Development Specialists (BDS), many of whom hold graduate degrees from Shippensburg University’s School of Business and have years of on‑the‑ground consulting experience.

Partnerships that Make It Possible

The expansion is a joint effort that pulls together several key stakeholders:

• Pennsylvania DCED: Provides grant funding and policy guidance.
• Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce: Facilitates networking events and offers member‑only resources.
• Dauphin County Economic Development Authority: Aligns the SBDC’s services with county‑wide economic‑development priorities, including “Entrepreneurial Hubs” and workforce‑training initiatives.
• Local Colleges: Collaborations with the University of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Area Community College will allow student‑internship programs and co‑branding of events.

One of the pivotal links in the expansion was the recent “Small‑Business Economic Impact” report released by the DCED in June 2025. The report highlighted that each $1 million of SBDC‑backed funding in Pennsylvania translates into roughly 10 new jobs and $25 million in gross state product. Shippensburg University’s leadership used this data to justify the allocation of a $2.5 million state grant, which now finances the Harrisburg hub.

Voices From the Field

• University President, Dr. Alan Whitaker: “Our mission has always been to translate research into real‑world impact. By extending our SBDC into Dauphin County, we’re putting tools and expertise directly in the hands of entrepreneurs who will drive job creation and innovation in the capital region.”

• Local Business Owner, Lisa Kim: Founder of “Kim’s Green Café” in downtown Harrisburg, said the expansion will help her “scaling up without getting lost in paperwork.” She applauded the SBDC’s upcoming workshop on “Navigating SBA Loans” scheduled for October.

• SBDC Director, Maria Lopez: “It’s more than adding a new address. It’s about integrating a network of resources—human capital, technology, funding—that can help small businesses go from idea to growth in less time.”

Impact Metrics and Outlook

The SBDC’s past performance provides a useful benchmark. In 2024, the Shippensburg office helped 312 businesses secure over $7.4 million in financing and trained more than 1,100 entrepreneurs. Projected impact for the Dauphin County hub, over a 3‑year horizon, includes:

• 30‑50 new business launches per year
• $12 million in new financing
• 200–300 training sessions, covering marketing, digital, and HR
• Estimated creation of 350–400 jobs

To monitor success, the SBDC will use a combination of data analytics (client progress dashboards), quarterly stakeholder meetings, and an independent impact assessment conducted by the University’s School of Public Policy in 2028.

How to Get Involved

Entrepreneurs and community stakeholders interested in the new hub can take several actions:

• Register for the “Small Business Launchpad” webinar (next Wednesday, 9 p.m. EST) to learn how to prepare a business plan that attracts investors.
• Visit the SBDC’s website (sbdc.shippensburg.edu) for an online booking system to schedule one‑on‑one consultations.
• Contact the Harrisburg Chamber to become a member and receive a complimentary “Business Health‑Check” report.
• Apply for the inaugural “Dauphin County Innovation Grant” (deadline: November 15), which offers up to $10,000 for technology‑related upgrades.

Looking Forward

With its new Harrisburg hub, Shippensburg University’s Small Business Development Center is poised to become a linchpin in the region’s economic development. By marrying deep academic expertise with the immediacy of on‑site consulting, the center will empower a generation of entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and thrive. As the county’s startup community grows, the SBDC’s expanded services will help ensure that every small business owner—regardless of size or industry—has the tools, knowledge, and financial pathways necessary to succeed.