SBDC celebrates three decades of supporting small businesses
Standard Journal - August 6, 2008 - Jeff Shaffer
LEWISBURG — Good management and support systems have kept the Small Business Development Center at Bucknell University going strong now for three decades.
Officials agreed that was cause for a celebration, having provided many start-up and existing small businesses with the tools they need to succeed and survive. The SBDC held a banquet for its 30th anniversary Tuesday at the Country Cupboard, Lewisburg.
Jon Vernam, director for the last nine years, said the Lewisburg-based SBDC is the oldest in the state, and “it’s quite an accomplishment to be around that long.”
Much credit was given to retired professor of mechanical engineering Charles Coder, who was asked to manage the new SBDC.
Today, Bucknell’s SBDC is one of 18 members of the PASBDC, which provide free and confidential management assistance and counseling to small businesses and people considering one.
Because of the university’s strong engineering background, it is the host of the state’s Engineering Development Services, providing technical assistance to clients including engineering design, analysis, product development and prototype fabrication and testing.
The local SBDC directly serves a six-county area. Services are offered to hundreds of clients a year and the SBDC spends between 8,000 and 9,000 hours consulting with clients, according to Vernam.
“The center is doing well, and we’ll continue to improve and offer more,” he said.
The director added what made the SBDC successful are the same kind of things that makes a small business successful. All who have led the organization used their resources to make it better.
Some small business owners were on hand to share their own success stories and what it took.
“It started as hobbies gone wild,” said Harold Kerlin, a partner in Copper Kettle Brewery near Laurelton.
“We took courses, seminars and it steered us in the right direction,” added Russ Eisenhuth. “We’re still taking classes; it’s great to have them right down the road.”
Kelly O’Brien Gavin of ASET Solar, Bloomsburg, also expressed she wouldn’t know where’d she be without the SBDC.
“When it comes to working with the SBDC I’m probably the poster child,” Gavin said. “There will be times where you’ll want to throw in the towel, but you have to follow your dreams.”
According to officials, ASET Solar is looking to open a manufacturing site in Lewisburg in 2009.
Vernam thanked his staff, the faculty and students that help make it happen, the organizations that provide financial support — including the Small Business Administration, Department of Community and Economic Development and Bucknell — as well as the local politicians.
“We’re particularly blessed to have legislators who support small businesses,” he said. “These folks do a great job.”
Area legislators and representatives spoke on why the SBDC is easy to support.
State Sen. John Gordner, like others, said he is approached by individuals who have innovative ideas. The first place he and others will send them is the SBDC and related partner organizations.
“(Small business) is the backbone of the economy,” Gordner said. “They need to grow and thrive; it’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm.”
“Not a month goes by where we don’t get letters about success stories and the SBDC,” said Arnie Kriner, executive assistant to state Sen. Roger Madigan. “It’s a good lobbying tool.”
State Rep. Russ Fairchild said he understands firsthand the challenges of running a small business. He started a family construction business.
“We started from scratch, and if we had to do it all over again, the first step would be visiting the SBDC.”
He was apologetic, though, about not being able to get more support for the SBDC.
“I’d be remiss not to talk about the budget,” Fairchild said. “It’s not the time to turn our backs on the SBDC.
“We could have done a lot better.”
Having sought an increase for the SBDCs, the budget led to a small decrease this fiscal year.
Other officials backed the importance of the organization.
Dee Kaplan, representing the DCED, said in the past year, businesses with more than 500 employees lost a total of 52,000 jobs. However, in the same time, small businesses added 7,000 jobs.
Over the years, the Pennsylvania SBDCs have worked with more than 35,000 clients, which have created 100,000 jobs.
Megan Schmidgal of the PASBDC said the Lewisburg SBDC in particular is “setting the standard,” with another workshop, seminar or product out of the engineering department.
“It’s leaving a lasting impact, one of the strongest in the nation.”
Much credit was given to retired professor of mechanical engineering Charles Coder, who was asked to manage the new SBDC.
Today, Bucknell’s SBDC is one of 18 members of the PASBDC, which provide free and confidential management assistance and counseling to small businesses and people considering one.
Because of the university’s strong engineering background, it is the host of the state’s Engineering Development Services, providing technical assistance to clients including engineering design, analysis, product development and prototype fabrication and testing.
The local SBDC directly serves a six-county area. Services are offered to hundreds of clients a year and the SBDC spends between 8,000 and 9,000 hours consulting with clients, according to Vernam.
“The center is doing well, and we’ll continue to improve and offer more,” he said.
The director added what made the SBDC successful are the same kind of things that makes a small business successful. All who have led the organization used their resources to make it better.
Some small business owners were on hand to share their own success stories and what it took.
“It started as hobbies gone wild,” said Harold Kerlin, a partner in Copper Kettle Brewery near Laurelton.
“We took courses, seminars and it steered us in the right direction,” added Russ Eisenhuth. “We’re still taking classes; it’s great to have them right down the road.”
Kelly O’Brien Gavin of ASET Solar, Bloomsburg, also expressed she wouldn’t know where’d she be without the SBDC.
“When it comes to working with the SBDC I’m probably the poster child,” Gavin said. “There will be times where you’ll want to throw in the towel, but you have to follow your dreams.”
According to officials, ASET Solar is looking to open a manufacturing site in Lewisburg in 2009.
Vernam thanked his staff, the faculty and students that help make it happen, the organizations that provide financial support — including the Small Business Administration, Department of Community and Economic Development and Bucknell — as well as the local politicians.
“We’re particularly blessed to have legislators who support small businesses,” he said. “These folks do a great job.”
Area legislators and representatives spoke on why the SBDC is easy to support.
State Sen. John Gordner, like others, said he is approached by individuals who have innovative ideas. The first place he and others will send them is the SBDC and related partner organizations.
“(Small business) is the backbone of the economy,” Gordner said. “They need to grow and thrive; it’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm.”
“Not a month goes by where we don’t get letters about success stories and the SBDC,” said Arnie Kriner, executive assistant to state Sen. Roger Madigan. “It’s a good lobbying tool.”
State Rep. Russ Fairchild said he understands firsthand the challenges of running a small business. He started a family construction business.
“We started from scratch, and if we had to do it all over again, the first step would be visiting the SBDC.”
He was apologetic, though, about not being able to get more support for the SBDC.
“I’d be remiss not to talk about the budget,” Fairchild said. “It’s not the time to turn our backs on the SBDC.
“We could have done a lot better.”
Having sought an increase for the SBDCs, the budget led to a small decrease this fiscal year.
Other officials backed the importance of the organization.
Dee Kaplan, representing the DCED, said in the past year, businesses with more than 500 employees lost a total of 52,000 jobs. However, in the same time, small businesses added 7,000 jobs.
Over the years, the Pennsylvania SBDCs have worked with more than 35,000 clients, which have created 100,000 jobs.
Megan Schmidgal of the PASBDC said the Lewisburg SBDC in particular is “setting the standard,” with another workshop, seminar or product out of the engineering department.
“It’s leaving a lasting impact, one of the strongest in the nation.”
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