The SBA Reveals One of Area’s Best Kept Secrets
PennWest Clarion SBDC Lauded as Western Pa Center of the Year
Regional manufacturers, eateries, wineries and farmers are starting and succeeding thanks to a handful of dedicated professionals quietly working behind the scenes. Now the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is spilling the beans on one of the area’s best kept business secrets.
The PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the Western Pa Center of the Year for 2024.
SBA District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt will honor Director Cindy Nellis and her six-member team during a special May 3rd ceremony marking the 61st annual celebration of National Small Business Week.
“I have a great team, said Nellis. “We work hard to provide the best consulting services while enhancing the statewide SBDC network.”
Nellis came to the SBDC from the banking industry to better prepare entrepreneurs. “Of course, we spend a lot of time helping small business owners secure funding, but many times they are facing challenges beyond money,” she explained. “And my team does an incredible job helping them with our expertise and vital tools and resources. We educate business owners on other topics such as marketing, accounting and human resource fundamentals.”
SBDCs are SBA and state-funded entities helping entrepreneurs with no-cost counseling and low-cost training classes for every phase of small business development. Last year, 868 entrepreneurs in the 10-county area around Clarion received assistance from the SBDC. Their efforts resulting in 87 new business starts while infusing more than $18 million into the local economy. In addition to general business consulting, PennWest Clarion continues to be an integral member of the PA SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence (Ag CoE) to provide dedicated consulting services to agriculture producers and processors in the Commonwealth. Both trainings and consultation are especially impactful as ag and its related sectors are large economic drivers in Pennsylvania.
Client Jim Marron received assistance from Nellis when he purchased the Allegheny Grille in 2014.
“Cindy was like an angel throughout the whole process,” he said. “She helped us create a five-year business plan and two-year budget, which we presented to our local bank to enable the sale. She is our go-to person.”
Hunt said she couldn’t be prouder of Nellis and her team. “When we visit our favorite local gems, we don’t realize the incredible work that goes into turning small business dreams into reality. It’s not only the owners, but the free, ongoing support provided by our partners like the PennWest Clarion SBDC, who are creating successes everywhere.”
Like Marron, hundreds of entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth also rely on the PennWest Clarion SBDC. The center shares its expertise through monthly Saturday morning and Thursday evening online First Step webinars – designed for those looking to start a business. “This way, people don’t have to step away from their day job,” said Nellis.
Those startup connections, coupled with growing and fostering relationships within their 7,000 square-mile territory are spurring regional small business growth. “We have great partners from legislatures to bankers and county and regional economic development organizations,” explained Nellis. “We are here to help you. We work to understand your needs and challenges and find solutions.”
While Nellis said the award is an honor, watching their small startups thrive is the team’s greatest reward. “When we see our entrepreneurs growing and hiring…it’s the most exciting time for us.”