A Statewide Engine for Small Business Growth
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (Pennsylvania SBDC or PASBDC) form a statewide, university‑based network that delivers no‑cost, confidential consulting and training to entrepreneurs and small business owners across all 67 counties. Rather than a single company, the network is a publicly funded, university‑affiliated program, so it is not a Black‑owned business, but it actively serves and prioritizes outreach to Black and other diverse business owners throughout Pennsylvania. With 15 main centers and dozens of outreach locations, the Pennsylvania SBDC system is designed to make professional business support accessible whether you are in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or a rural community.
Where to Find Pennsylvania SBDC and How to Contact Them
The Pennsylvania SBDC network is organized so entrepreneurs can easily locate their nearest center based on the county where their business operates or will operate. The statewide office and website act as the central entry point and directory, while each local center has its own address and contact details.
Key Statewide Contact and Online Access
- Website: Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (PASBDC) – https://www.pasbdc.org
- Locations directory: “Locations” section on the PASBDC website, where you select your county to find the nearest center and outreach sites.
- General phone (as listed by partner materials): 877‑472‑7232 for inquiries about connecting to your local SBDC.
- General statewide information: The “About Us” and “Contact” sections on the PASBDC website provide additional forms and information for referrals to appropriate centers and specialty programs.
Because PASBDC is a network rather than a single building, each region—such as Philadelphia, Chester, the Lehigh Valley, or central Pennsylvania—has its own host university and address.
Examples of Local SBDC Centers Serving Philadelphia and Nearby Areas
For entrepreneurs in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania, several university‑based SBDCs are especially relevant.
- Temple University Small Business Development Center – Serves Philadelphia and Montgomery counties from Temple University’s Fox School of Business, with offices on the university’s Main Campus and outreach locations in the city.
- Widener University Small Business Development Center – Serves businesses in Delaware County and surrounding areas from its main office in Chester, Pennsylvania.
- Kutztown University Small Business Development Center – Serves Berks and several nearby counties, with a main office in Kutztown and outreach locations including Reading and other communities.
Sample Local Center Contact Information (Widener SBDC Example)
To illustrate how a typical Pennsylvania SBDC center is structured, consider Widener University SBDC in the greater Philadelphia region:
- Location: Widener University Small Business Development Center, 1304 Walnut Street, Chester, PA 19013
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, by appointment only
- Phone: 610‑499‑4109
- Email: wdsbdc@widener.edu
- Google Maps directions: Search “Widener University Small Business Development Center, 1304 Walnut Street, Chester, PA 19013” in Google Maps to generate customized directions from your location.
Entrepreneurs in Philadelphia proper can also look up Temple SBDC through the PASBDC “Locations” page or Temple’s own website to get exact addresses, emails, and maps for their preferred office.
What the Pennsylvania SBDC Network Does for Entrepreneurs
The core mission of the Pennsylvania SBDC network is to provide high‑quality, practical support that helps small businesses start, grow, and stay resilient over time. Services are delivered through one‑on‑one consulting, training events, and access to curated resources and tools.
No‑Cost, Confidential Business Consulting
Pennsylvania SBDC consultants meet entrepreneurs confidentially to work through specific business questions.
Common areas of support include:
- Testing and refining business ideas and business models
- Writing or sharpening a business plan
- Building financial projections, understanding cash flow, and preparing for loans or investment
- Marketing strategy, branding, and digital marketing fundamentals
- Operations, process improvement, and scalability planning
- Buying or selling a business and succession considerations
Because these services are funded through federal, state, and university partnerships, the consulting is provided at no cost to the entrepreneur, which is particularly important for early‑stage founders and underserved business owners.
Training Events, Webinars, and Specialized Programs
Beyond individual consulting, PASBDC delivers workshops and training across the state, often in partnership with local economic development agencies, banks, and community organizations.
These programs typically cover:
- Starting a business in Pennsylvania, including registrations, licenses, and compliance
- Financial literacy, bookkeeping, and small business accounting basics
- Marketing and eCommerce, including social media and online selling
- Export readiness and international trade for small firms
- Sector‑specific topics such as agriculture, manufacturing, or technology commercialization
Many events are offered virtually, which enables entrepreneurs in Philadelphia and rural regions alike to access the same expertise without needing to travel.
Who Owns Pennsylvania SBDC and How It Serves Black Business Owners
The Pennsylvania SBDC network is not a Black‑owned business; it is a publicly funded, university‑affiliated system run through host universities such as Temple, Widener, Bucknell, Saint Francis, and others. However, the network deliberately serves Black entrepreneurs and other diverse business populations through inclusive policies and targeted outreach.
Funding and Governance Structure
Pennsylvania SBDC is funded primarily through:
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, often via the Department of Community and Economic Development
- Host universities that provide space, staff support, and additional resources
Because of this structure, the network is a public service program rather than a privately owned company, which ensures services are extended to the public on a non‑discriminatory basis.
Support for Black and Diverse Entrepreneurs
Even without being Black‑owned itself, PASBDC plays a significant role in supporting Black business owners.
Key aspects of that support include:
- Explicit outreach to diverse and underserved business populations, including Black entrepreneurs, women, veterans, and immigrant founders
- No‑cost consulting that helps reduce financial barriers for Black founders who may lack access to expensive private advisors
- Partnerships and referrals to community organizations and institutions that specifically target Black business success, such as university‑based African American resource centers and local economic development groups
For example, a guide for Black business owners in Pennsylvania highlights Pennsylvania SBDC as a key resource where Black entrepreneurs can meet with experienced consultants at no cost and access tools for growth. This positioning underscores the network’s importance as an equity‑building institution, even though it is not Black‑owned.
How Pennsylvania SBDC Fits into the Broader Business Ecosystem
Pennsylvania SBDC is part of both a statewide and national network of Small Business Development Centers, coordinated under America’s SBDC. This connection ensures that local Pennsylvania businesses benefit from shared best practices, specialized expertise, and national‑level advocacy.
Statewide Reach and Local Roots
Each of the 15 centers is anchored at a host university, such as:
- Bucknell University SBDC in central Pennsylvania
- Saint Francis University SBDC in the Southern Alleghenies region
- Duquesne University SBDC in Pittsburgh
- Kutztown University SBDC in Berks County and surrounding areas
- Temple University and Widener University SBDCs serving Philadelphia and the southeast
This design allows PASBDC to maintain local relationships and understanding while still operating under a common statewide mission and quality standards.
National Accreditation and Quality Standards
Pennsylvania SBDC is a nationally accredited program under the America’s SBDC framework. Accreditation ensures that consulting and training meet consistent standards and that data on outcomes—such as jobs created, capital raised, and businesses started—are tracked and reported. For entrepreneurs, this means confidence that they are receiving professional, vetted guidance rather than ad‑hoc advice.
What to Expect When Engaging Pennsylvania SBDC
Whether in Philadelphia or elsewhere in the state, the process of working with an SBDC center follows a similar pattern designed to be straightforward and supportive.
Typical First Steps
- Find your local center via the PASBDC “Locations” page by selecting your county.
- Submit an intake request or “request consulting” form, briefly describing your business or idea.
- Schedule a one‑on‑one appointment—often virtual or in person—where a consultant will review your goals, challenges, and resources.
From there, you may be invited to attend workshops, work on a formal business plan, build financial projections, or get help preparing a loan package or grant application.
Why Pennsylvania SBDC Matters for Black Entrepreneurs and Other Underserved Founders
For Black entrepreneurs, the presence of a statewide, no‑cost consulting network can make the difference between keeping a promising idea on the shelf and turning it into a sustainable company. Many Black business owners face historic and structural barriers—including limited access to traditional banking relationships, smaller inherited financial cushions, and under‑representation in business networks—and PASBDC helps counter some of these challenges.
By offering free, high‑quality consulting, accessible training, and intentional outreach to diverse communities, the Pennsylvania SBDC network acts as a powerful catalyst for inclusive economic growth. Even though it is not Black‑owned, its work significantly amplifies and strengthens Black‑owned businesses and other minority‑owned enterprises across Philadelphia and the entire state.