Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration this week announced an investment of $21,445,823 to establish 11 new Business Assistance Service Centers across Pennsylvania, aimed at supporting historically disadvantaged small businesses through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program.
And one of those centers will be established with the help of Lehigh University in Bethlehem.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger made the announcement, outlining how the centers will provide technical assistance and business support services to increase access to capital and promote economic empowerment for underserved business owners.
“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,” Davis said. “Many of our small businesses could succeed and even expand if they were able to build out their networks and grow their skill sets — these new Business Assistance Service Centers will bridge those gaps.”
The centers will offer a range of services including one-on-one business counseling, accounting assistance, employer responsibility training, and contract procurement support. They will also help businesses identify local resources already available to them. To ensure accessibility, each center will hire bilingual staff and provide translation services.
Among the recipients of the funding, Lehigh University will receive $2,156,887 to serve Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. The university will partner with Small Business Development Centers from Wilkes University, Kutztown University, and The University of Scranton to deliver services.
All 11 centers will collaborate with local economic development organizations, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations to provide support tailored to their communities.
Generative AI was used to draft this story based on data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. It was reviewed and edited by Advance Local.
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