Clinton County Program Helps 50+ Small Businesses Launch

For anyone who's ever dreamed of opening their own business but didn't know where to start, Clinton County has quietly become a model for making those dreams come true.

Over the past five years, the Small Business Development Center has helped more than 300 entrepreneurs in Clinton County and launched over 50 new businesses. The program, based at Penn State University, offers free counseling and training to anyone ready to take the leap into business ownership.

Tim Keohane, director of the Penn State SBDC, says watching people achieve their long-held dreams never gets old. "A lot of times, the people that we work with may be planning or thinking about this for a long time," he explained. "We feel like we have the ability to be an important part of trying to make that happen."

The numbers tell a powerful story. Nationwide studies show that about 50 percent of new businesses fail when owners go it alone. But entrepreneurs who work with SBDC programs boost their success rate by 35 percent or more.

The program matches business owners with consultants who help them navigate everything from business plans to marketing strategies. Tom Keiffer typically works with Clinton County businesses, but the center can connect entrepreneurs with specialists based on their specific needs.

Getting started is simple. Interested business owners can visit the SBDC website and request a consultation. The program serves for-profit businesses in Clinton, Centre, Lycoming, and Mifflin counties.

The Ripple Effect

Each new business that opens represents more than just one person's dream coming true. These entrepreneurs are creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and showing others in their communities that taking the leap is possible. The program also offers monthly workshops called "First Steps for Starting a Small Business" on the second Tuesday of each month, providing guidance even before entrepreneurs meet one-on-one with consultants.

The program has been running since 1980, quietly supporting business owners through economic ups and downs. Keohane is clear that business owners do the hard work themselves, but having someone in their corner who knows the common pitfalls makes all the difference.

Today marks national SBDC Day, and the Penn State program is celebrating with an open event from 1 to 3 p.m. at Nittany Valley Holistic Health. Community members are invited to see firsthand how small business support is transforming their region, one entrepreneur at a time.