Consulting Services
Our consulting services are offered free of charge and your information is always confidential. We can offer a consultant who is uniquely qualified to help you create an effective strategy. Our consultants have expertise in:
- Accounting
- Banking
- Business Planning
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Management
- Financial Analysis
- International Business
- Marketing and Advertising
- Market Planning and Research
- Research
- Strategic Planning
- Website Marketing & Development
Center for Global Competitiveness
If you fall out of the SBDC region, or if you are looking to expand your business domestically or internationally, our Center for Global Competitiveness (CGC) provides specialized marketing assistance to businesses in a ten county region, including Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Fayette, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset, Indiana, and Westmoreland counties. The CGC operates as part of the Saint Francis University SBDC, with a cooperative agreement with Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, to cover Fayette, Indiana, and Westmoreland counties. The CGC provides services to small and medium sized business, including:
- Marketing Consulting
- Organized domestic and international trade events
- Educational programs
- Resource library
- Quarterly international newsletters
The CGC provides in-depth market research for companies using a variety of resources including the National Trade Data Base and Dun and Bradstreet's Marketplace, among others. The CGC is a member of the Southern Alleghenies Regional Export Network that links all the export-related service providers together. This provides the opportunity to serve the client with the broadest range of services and expertise.
Confidential and free services
If you are interested in starting or expanding your business, we are happy to provide confidential and free business services for you. The specific services provided to you by the Center depend largely on your particular needs. Generally, services provided by the SBDC tend to fall under the following categories.
- Start-up Procedures - The SBDC provides assistance in areas such as business name registration, federal and state tax numbers, local rules and regulations, insurance requirements, business licenses, etc.
- Financial Proposals - The SBDC assists individuals that are seeking financing to start or expand their business. The Center provides assistance in preparing projected financial statements and other financial information necessary when applying for a loan. The small business owner must be able to convince a lender that they will be able to repay any financing it receives.
- Business Plan Development (PDF format) - The SBDC has developed its own business planning guide. We assist individuals in developing their business plan. We do not do their business plan for them, but rather guide them through the process. It is very important that the entrepreneur does their homework. The more they know about something before they begin, the better their chances of success will be.
- Accounting and Recordkeeping/Payroll Procedures - The SBDC provides assistance in setting-up record keeping systems for the small business owners. A good record keeping system is vital to the success of a small business. The Center also provides assistance to small businesses that are considering hiring employees. We provide information as to the legal requirements of hiring employees, what taxes and insurance they are liable to pay, when to pay these taxes, where to send the tax payments, etc. It is very important that the small business owner realize what they are required to do when hiring employees.
- Financing - The SBDC does not loan money to businesses, but the staff is aware of many loan programs that are available to small business owners. There are a variety of federal, state and local loan programs available to the small business owner. The staff can help in determining which programs a small business owner may be eligible for so they get the best possible rates and terms when financing a project.
- Cash Flow Development/Analysis
- Marketing - The Center for Global Competitiveness (CGC) provides specialized marketing assistance to small and medium sized businesses. Services provided by the CGC include individual marketing consulting, organized domestic and international trade events, educational programs, resource library, and a quarterly international newsletter.
- Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) - The Small Business Development Center announces the launch of a new program designed to provide business owners confidential environmental compliance assistance in order to help reduce their regulatory risks and operating costs. The Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) is provided at no cost and is completely confidential.
Local Resources
Chambers of Commerce
Miscellaneous
Service Providers
