Ben Franklin Technology Partners
“For more than 30 Years, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA has provided startup funding and business support services to tech-based startups and small manufacturers located in PA.
The Program invests not only in the marketable innovations developed in our service area – many of which come to light from our annual big idea contests – but also in business mentoring and support initiatives.” – BFTP website
SCORE
“Whether launching a new business or tackling issues in an existing one, SCORE of Lancaster has over 50 volunteer mentors to provide expert advice and feedback through our free, confidential, face-to-face mentoring program.
The Lancaster chapter of SCORE also offers a variety of affordable seminars and workshops that educate and prepare entrepreneurs and small business owners, covering everything from business fundamentals to financial planning and marketing.
Our SCORE Business Roundtables give small business owners with common interests the opportunity to interact in an open forum to share experiences, exchange best practices and network.” – SCORE
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
“The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are the only statewide, nationally accredited program that provides
“The mission of the network of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) is to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge needed to make smart decisions and prosper.”
ASSETS
“For the first two decades, ASSETS programs were focused on business training programs and mentoring for low and moderate income persons in Lancaster County. This focus continues to be a core part of the ASSETS mission, and in recent years, programs have expanded to include programming around women’s leadership, microlending, and social enterprise training and incubator programs.
The ASSETS vision is to see our communities in Lancaster and Central Pennsylvania transformed by business; by increasing business ownership among women and people of color and increasing the number of social enterprises seeking to address social and/or environmental challenges through their business models.”– Assets website
DUKE ST. BUSINESS CENTER
“The Duke Street Business Center at Lancaster Public Library has been serving the entire Lancaster County, PA business and nonprofit community since its opening in March 2006. This unique special library-within-a-library of over 2,000 books, audiobooks, videos, periodicals, and electronic resources serves as a one-stop source for authoritative and up-to-date business and nonprofit information. The DSBC is staffed by professionally trained business reference librarians who specialize in providing personalized assistance locating information by utilizing a combination of print resources, licensed business databases and specialized websites.” – Duke Street Business Center website
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
“The US Small Business Administration is an independent federal agency that works to assist and protect the interests of American small businesses. They administer programs through district offices throughout the United States and provide additional services through a network of resource partners: Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, U.S. Export Assistance Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.” – City of Lancaster website
PA BUSINESS ONE-STOP SHOP
“The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is a state government office equipped with knowledge, information, and resources for businesses both large and small. Serving as the first point of contact for Pennsylvania business development concerns, our team helps connect and guide businesses through all stages of development — from planning and startup to operating and expanding. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or existing business, we provide complete, customer-focused service backed by firsthand knowledge and experience.” – PA Business One-Stop Shop website
COMMUNITY FIRST FUND
“Our mission is to help low wealth communities and individuals, especially People of Color and women, by financing projects that benefit low to moderate-income communities.
Community First Fund creates sustainable prosperity for low wealth communities and individuals, especially Persons of Color and women, by aligning capital, knowledge, and advocacy to advance business ownership, housing,
EDC LANCASTER
“The Economic Development Company of Lancaster County (EDC) is the leading organization dedicated to promoting business development and expansion within Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A private, not-for-profit, non-government organization, founded in 1960, EDC works on a number of fronts to promote the economic well-being of our communities. Whether you are starting up your business, expanding your presence here or considering a corporate relocation, EDC can assist you with everything from site location to financing.” – EDC website
LANCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“The Lancaster Chamber is a business-focused organization that helps people thrive, businesses excel and our community prosper. Since 1872, the Lancaster Chamber has leveraged the collective strength of the private sector to make a positive impact on the community. The Chamber is committed to building a prosperous community for all by advancing a pro-business agenda and focusing on community initiatives that will benefit all of Lancaster County. The organization is also committed to providing resources for individuals and businesses to accelerate ideas, opportunities, and solutions, as well as to connecting business professionals to one another” – LCC website
TEC CENTRO
“The mission of Tec Centro is to provide integrated support services to remove barriers which may inhibit career advancement by offering adult education completion, job readiness workshops, employment services, case management, bilingual training, and multiple career pathways.” – Tec Centro website
TECH LANCASTER
“TechLancaster started as a simple local meetup, a safe place for like-minded tech people to come together and geek out. We’ve strived to be open, welcoming, and supportive to everyone in the community, regardless of their interest or background.
The past year has seen amazing growth in Lancaster’s tech scene, and we believe this is only the beginning. As members of the tech community, we want to support this growth and ensure the community remains a healthy, open, and welcoming place for all its current and future members.” – Tech Lancaster website
LANCASTER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
“Lancaster Young Professionals is an organization that offers its members the opportunity to increase and diversify their professional network and skills, as well as give back to the community. LYP will help you strengthen your connections to many of Lancaster’s current and future leaders. Lifelong business relationships have been established and are made here every day.” – Lancaster Young Professionals website
LANCASTER MARKETING GROUP
“The purpose of the Lancaster Marketing Group (LMG) is to provide education and networking opportunities to marketers – internal teams, agencies, and freelancers – in and around Lancaster County.” – Insight Lancaster website
KICK-ASS FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS
“Kick-Ass Female Entrepreneurs is a FREE networking group for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. The purpose of this group is to support one another by offering encouragement, shared knowledge, skills, and advice.”
CULTIVATE LANCASTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP COALITION
“The Cultivate Lancaster Entrepreneurship Coalition is a collaborative initiative serving Lancaster’s community of entrepreneurs, startups, & small businesses.” – Cultivate Lancaster website
________________
Other Resources
Lancaster City Alliance | Business Startup Tool Kit, the toolkit is a great guide if you’re interested in starting a business.
Leadership Lancaster – “Leadership Lancaster’s purpose is to identify existing and emerging leaders, to prepare them for roles in shaping the future, and to entrust them to guide the county in the years ahead.”
Art Collectives
Lancaster Arts Studio – “The Lancaster Art Studios offers a wide variety of creative outlets, from drawing and painting, to acting and circus arts, there is something for everyone”
Community Kitchen
Maker Groups
________________
Other Resources
Lancaster City Alliance | Business Startup Tool Kit, the toolkit is a great guide if you’re interested in starting a business.
Leadership Lancaster – “Leadership Lancaster’s purpose is to identify existing and emerging leaders, to prepare them for roles in shaping the future, and to entrust them to guide the county in the years ahead.”
Art Collectives
Lancaster Arts Studio – “The Lancaster Art Studios offers a wide variety of creative outlets, from drawing and painting, to acting and circus arts, there is something for everyone”
Community Kitchen
Maker Groups