PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 18, 2007 – Small businesses love when demand for products or services is high. But sometimes success finds them short-handed, and the simple solution often means an addition to the payroll.

Small business is a big contributor to Pennsylvania’s economy, creating thousands of jobs annually, according to recent independent research conducted by Dr. James J. Chrisman of Mississippi State University. Small firms helped by the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) created 10,794 new jobs in the most recent year studied. That’s a new job every 48 minutes from just $929 per job of taxpayer investment in the SBDC program.

The statewide network of 18 university- and college-based centers prepares business owners to meet challenges in growing their businesses. An Oreland, PA fitness business helped by the Temple University SBDC opened in August 2005 to meet demand for fitness targeted for women with young children. A year later, One Fit Mama had expanded to several locations including Doylestown, Ambler, Manayunk, Lansdale, central and West Philadelphia, resulting in six new hires.

When rapid growth occurs, the Pennsylvania SBDCs work with businesses to assist their expansion and put them in the best place for future growth and success. With new jobs comes the challenge of managing personnel and addressing resulting changes in insurance coverage and other benefits. These issues are covered in educational programs and in no-fee, confidential one-on-one consulting sessions offered statewide.

“This study confirms just how important small business is to driving our economy through the jobs they create” Gregory L. Higgins, Jr., state director of the Pennsylvania SBDC program, said. “It makes clear that Pennsylvania should continue to invest in resources and programs that enable small businesses to succeed and grow.”

Since its inception in 1980, the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has evolved into a network of 18 university-based centers and more than 90 outreach locations, operating under the guidance of the State Director located at the University of Pennsylvania. The SBDCs play a unique and vital role in the Commonwealth’s economic development initiatives as the only organization that, in utilizing the expertise and resources of some of the best colleges and universities in the state, assists entrepreneurs in all stages of business and all industry sectors. Funding support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the SBDC host institutions enables consulting services to be provided at no charge to the client. For more information on the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers’ services and impact, visit www.pasbdc.org.

Contact:

Megan Schmidgal
(215) 898.1219