Harrisburg, PA – Division of Group and Financial Growth (DCED) Appearing Secretary Neil Weaver and different DCED executives traveled throughout the commonwealth this week to rejoice Small Enterprise Week by highlighting the investments made by the Wolf Administration in small companies.
“This week I had the pleasure of touring many small companies throughout the commonwealth,” stated Appearing Sec. Weaver. “These small companies are owned by our households, pals, and neighbors, and the impact they've on Pennsylvania’s economic system is important. For each $100 spent at a small enterprise, $48 goes again into the native economic system. Greater than 1 million small companies name the commonwealth dwelling, using practically 2.5 million people. The Wolf Administration has made supporting these companies a precedence, and I'm proud to see so a lot of them succeed.”
In Berks County within the Metropolis of Studying, Appearing Sec. Weaver was joined by Mayor Eddie Moran, US Consultant Jim Gerlach, state Consultant Manuel Guzman, and Councilwoman Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz on a strolling tour in downtown Studying. As they visited New Heightz Grocery Retailer, The Nice American Creamery, La Casa Del Chimi Restaurant, Juice Bar, and the American Barber and Magnificence Academy, Appearing Sec. Weaver celebrated the impression these companies have on the town.
“Studying represents the wonderful range of Pennsylvania’s small enterprise neighborhood,” stated Appearing Sec. Weaver. “House owners of all backgrounds are operating companies that span many various sectors and industries. It additionally represents a spot the place small companies are constructing and shaping the neighborhood through which they’re positioned. Every minority-owned enterprise we visited bolstered the message that irrespective of your background, the place you reside, or the way you look, for those who’re a small enterprise proprietor with a can-do spirit, you belong in Pennsylvania.”
In Philadelphia Appearing Sec. Weaver visited Love Metropolis Brewing to spotlight the assets out there to small enterprise homeowners to assist them develop their companies on-line. Over the previous two years, shoppers have accelerated their on-line purchasing habits, making eCommerce a vital income stream for small companies. Appearing Sec. Weaver mentioned the PA Enterprise One-Cease and the Small Enterprise Growth Facilities (SBDC) as two assets small enterprise homeowners can use to assist develop their eCommerce capabilities.
“For a lot of small companies, eCommerce doesn’t come naturally,” stated Appearing Sec. Weaver. “House owners could not have performed it earlier than, or they might not know if it’s proper for his or her enterprise. They could not know the place to start out. That’s the place DCED and the Small Enterprise Growth Facilities are available. We all know that when our entrepreneurs and small companies succeed, Pennsylvania’s economic system and communities succeed as properly.”
In Bedford County, within the borough of Bedford, Deputy Secretary of Advertising, Tourism, and Movie Carrie Fischer Lepore and Deputy Secretary of Expertise and Innovation Steve D’Ettorre highlighted the significance of journey and tourism in help of small companies. Whereas visiting Pigeon Hill Studios, Juli’s Wearable Artwork, Bedford Candies, and Subsequent Door restaurant, Deputy Secretary Lepore and Deputy Secretary D’Ettorre listened as enterprise homeowners mentioned the function the Bedford neighborhood has had of their successes.
In Scranton, Appearing Sec. Weaver was joined by Mayor Paige Cognetti on a strolling tour in downtown Scranton. Whereas touring RD Salon & BlowDry Bar, The Giving Tree, Commonwealth Coffeehouse, Pink Pedal, and Adezzo, Sec. Weaver highlighted the packages the Wolf Administration has created to assist girls and minority-owned companies, together with Pennsylvania Minority Enterprise Growth Authority (PMBDA), the Small Numerous Enterprise Capital Entry Program (SDBCA), and the Enterprise Alternatives Fund (BOF).
“Small companies contribute to the tradition and material of the communities through which they reside,” stated Appearing Sec. Weaver. “They supply a way of place and a neighborhood id along with the financial profit they create. These are individuals who don’t simply care about their enterprise succeeding – they care about their neighborhood succeeding.”
In Erie, Govt Deputy Secretary Michael Hanna, Jr., was joined by Mayor Joseph Schember in a tour of a few of Erie’s latest small companies. Whereas touring Flagship Metropolis Meals Corridor, Primo Tailoring, Chipperes Seafood and Southern Fusion, and Purrista Cat Café, Govt Deputy Secretary Hanna realized how downtown Erie has grown and persevered during the last two years.
In Butler County, within the borough of Zelienople, Appearing Sec. Weaver closed out Small Enterprise Week on a strolling tour of downtown Zelienople with Mayor Thomas Oliverio. The tour celebrated the variety and impression of small companies on Pennsylvania’s economic system and communities by visiting Kaufman tavern, Eva Bryn Shoetique, Elluinger’s Meats & Delis, and The Little Inexperienced Bookstore.
“Small Enterprise Week has been a convention for Pennsylvania and america for many years, nevertheless it’s additionally a lot greater than that,” stated Appearing Sec. Weaver. “Small companies are the spine of our commonwealth. They strengthen our communities, help our native economies, and supply jobs to greater than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians. Once we store small, we assist the neighborhood.”
The Wolf Administration’s help for small companies has been steadfast. In the beginning of the administration, Governor Tom Wolf launched the PA Enterprise One Cease Store which serves as a useful resource for small enterprise via all phases of opening, allowing, and hiring and gives technical help and funding alternatives.
Extra help contains:
Gov. Wolf has been advocating for Pennsylvania’s legislature to additional help small companies by spending $225 million of the commonwealth’s uncommitted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) {dollars} on small companies. The cash might help hundreds of Pennsylvania companies battling inflation and pandemic restoration, and not using a plan the federal {dollars} will want returned to the federal authorities by December 31, 2024.
For extra details about Small Enterprise Week or Division of Group and Financial Growth, go to DCED web site, and you should definitely keep up-to-date with all of our company information on Fb, Twitter, and LinkedIn and you should definitely discuss your favourite native small enterprise in your social media accounts and tag them with #PASmallBiz or #ShopLocal.
Notice: Photograph and video of the excursions in Studying and Zelienople will likely be out there at PACast web site.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Penny Ickes, DCED, dcedpress@pa.gov
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