Pennsylvania SBDC Recognizes State Rep. Mike Hanna

 

From the left, Tim Keohane, SBDC Lock Haven director; Christian Conroy, state SBDC director; state Rep. Mike Hanna; Lock Haven University President Dr. Mike Fiorentino.

LOCK HAVEN – The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Tuesday named State Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton/Centre) a “Small Business Champion” for his support of small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Hanna was presented with the award by Pennsylvania SBDC State Director Christian Conroy at Lock Haven University during a meeting of the leadership of the Pennsylvania SBDC network.

“Today we are proud to recognize State Representative Hanna as a Small Business Champion,” Conroy said. “During a period when new jobs are in demand, we are very grateful for the leadership of Rep. Hanna in advocating for proven and fiscally responsible programs like the SBDC that everyday work to help small companies thrive. Rep. Hanna’s support has been critical to ensuring that the SBDC will continue to be available to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation.”

Hanna lauded the Small Business Development Center for its work. He said the SBDC effort fits into the recently completed State System of Higher Education system-wide study, what he called integration into SBDC’s work in host communities to drive state system graduates to stay in their communities.

“I’m honored to receive this award, but the businesses started and grown by the Small Business Development Centers are the real story,” said Hanna. “Small businesses create many family-sustaining jobs in our communities and the SBDCs work closely with various industries to boost the economy throughout our Commonwealth.”

Representative Hanna’s district is served by the Small Business Development Centers at Lock Haven University and Penn State University. According to the SBCD, in 2016, the SBDCs assisted 502 entrepreneurs and companies in Centre and Clinton counties. These clients obtained $9.65 million in funding, started 35 new companies, impacted 273 jobs, and increased their sales by more than $4 million.

About Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
The Pennsylvania SBDC network is the only statewide, nationally accredited program that provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to empower new and existing businesses. SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, individualized sessions to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more. The SBDC program is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and 18 universities and colleges across the Commonwealth. For more information on the Pennsylvania SBDC services and impact, please visit www.pasbdc.org.

Back to top button