Innovision Fall 2018

28 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE SBDC PENNSYLVANIA’S LEAD OFFICE Kutztown University has been named Pennsylvania’s lead office for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). For 37 years, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania was the location of the state’s lead office, but in March 2018, the Small Business Association (SBA) announced that bids for the title of lead office were being offered. To be considered, a center had to meet a set of criteria. Kutztown’s SBDC developed a proposal that represented their value as an organization. Kutztown went up against the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Gannon University. After deliberation, the SBA notified Kutztown that they were selected as a finalist. Kutztown was invited to meet with a panel of SBA personnel to present their proposal and answer questions. A month later, Kutztown was named as the lead office. As a result, Kutztown received a 4.9 million dollar grant to carry out the duties of the statewide SBDC network. The SBDC credits the university for their role in making this accomplishment achievable. Assistant Director Gary Turner said, “Part of the conditions of being a lead center is to verify that you have a lot of support from the institution.” President Hawkinson and his senior management team were excited about the KU SBDC becoming the lead office and offered additional financial and administrative resources to support the bid. As the lead office, Kutztown is responsible for overseeing all SBDC sites in Pennsylvania, both financially and programmatically. From a financial standpoint, the office handles over eight million dollars in grants, and from the programmatic side, they help oversee over 8,000 clients served throughout the state. The SBDC is mostly involved with established business but they also help early stage businesses. The SBDC also works with clients where Spanish is their first language. To avoid language barriers, the SBDC has hired Spanish speaking consultants to assist them in the startup process. With the support of the SBA and Kutztown University, the SBDC has hired 17 Graduate Assistants and offered them a stipend. In addition, eight undergraduate interns works in the SBDC office. The Graduate Assistants gain practical experience as they work on projects, meet with consultants and complete other tasks around the office. Graduate Assistants work in various departments: social media, news writing, graphic design, accounting, finance and event planning. Graduate Assistant, Danielle Altman said, “Each intern and GA will get a variety of experience, professional development and grow as a student and a professional.” The SBDC assists their clients in improving their online presence. Graduate Assistant, Michael Hensler, specializes in Search Engine Optimization. He is responsible for analyzing the websites of clients and enhancing their sites to make them more available for people to notice. Amanda Fink, a Graduate Assistant, said, “I think one of our greatest strengths is the diversity we provide here. Everyone comes from a different background and has different strengths they bring to the table.” The group is made up of people who have studied public relations, accounting, communications, design and psychology. This semester, everyone had their hands on deck to help orchestrate the grand opening of the new SBDC. Legislators and directors from other SBDC sites were invited to the event. During the ceremony, Dr. Anne Carroll, Dean said, “I have been with this University for one year and I have had the opportunity to see young men and women really grow as professionals through the SBDC.” Members of the SBDC staff gather with President Kenneth Hawkinson to celebrate being named lead office in the state. Photo Credit: Kaylee Lindenmuth