Small Business Development Center

By providing entrepreneurs and small businesses with the tools they require to build and grow successful businesses, the Saint Vincent College SBDC is having a positive impact on the Commonwealth.

Client Impact During the Time Period of 10/1/22 to 9/30/23:

• Clients Served: 304
• New Businesses Started: 33
• Jobs Supported: 841
• Capital Formation: $7,259,440

SBDC is awarded SBA Western Pennsylvania District,

PA, and Mid-Atlantic Region Small Business Development Center of the Year

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Saint Vincent College was awarded the Western Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic Region Small Business Development Center of the Year (2023) by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Besting more than 45 centers in the region, the SBDC has assisted over 10,000 entrepreneurs bringing over $170 million into the economy since its inception in 1988.

Register for Programs

https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Upcoming SBDC in-person Programs:

 First Step to Small Business Success – April 17, 2024

The Saint Vincent College Small Business Development Center goes to great lengths to ensure that business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are armed with the resources necessary to make intelligent business decisions. With the link below, you will find an array of resources -- tools -- that will help you in your small business endeavors. Check back often as we continually update this section with the resources you deserve to help grow your business.

https://www.pasbdc.org 

Other useful links:

Westmoreland County 
http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us  

Latrobe Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.latrobearea.com 

Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.westmorelandchamber.com  

Fay-Penn Economic Development Council
http://www.faypenn.org/ 

Fayette County Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.fayettechamber.com/  

Ligonier Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.ligonier.com  

Norwin Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.norwinchamber.com  

Environmental Management Assistance Program
 http://www.askemap.org/  

James H. Kunkel 
Executive Director 

James Kunkel is the Executive Director of the SBDC. In this position, he heads a team of management consultants whose mission is to provide professional planning, technical assistance, education and information to small and medium sized businesses. Mr. Kunkel earned his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Penn State University. He has also successfully completed faculty development certificate training in international business at the University of South Carolina and the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird Management Center). In addition to his duties within the SBDC, Mr. Kunkel is also an adjunct professor at Saint Vincent College where he teaches two courses: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Global Management.

Timothy J. Bates 
Senior Business Analyst

Tim Bates has been with the Center since 2000. He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Saint Vincent College. Tim began his career in the banking industry. From 1987-1990, he was employed with First Virginia Bank of Falls Church, Virginia, where he managed a retail branch office. He specialized in business loan development and relationship development as well as consumer loan development. Following this, he worked for National City Bank of Pennsylvania from 1990-1999. His duties with the institution included business development in all industry sectors for loan needs under $500,000. He also worked to develop a SBA Loan portfolio for a 3 branch network. During this time, he became proficient in agriculture lending through the use of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Guaranteed Lending arm of the USDA. Through this work, he developed a working relationship with the Westmoreland County Penn State Cooperative Extension Office. 

Anita Hudock 
Office Manager 

Anita Hudock has been with the SBDC since 1990. She serves as Office Manager for the Center. Her responsibilities include preparing, maintaining, and monitoring the Center’s fiscal budget activity and all grant-related records as required by both Federal and State funding source guidelines. As Office Manager she compiles and analyses cost data reports and prepares monthly invoicing, expenses reports, travel requisitions and invoices for payment. She also maintains and oversees records of staff productivity, grant deliverables, economic impact and small business milestones. In addition, she maintains and develops ties with the Center’s legislative offices, other economic development groups, and community offices to advance and promote the marketing objectives of the center. She has over 26 years of office experience, including her position as Executive Administration Assistant with a large workers compensation/general liability insurance firm.

The Saint Vincent College SBDC is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at these locations:

Saint Vincent College 
300 Fraser Purchase Road
Aurelius Hall - First Floor
Latrobe, PA. 15650 
 
Downtown Latrobe Office
911 Ligonier Street, Suite 102
Latrobe, PA. 15650

Phone Number: 724-537-4572

Outreach Centers 

Fayette County Area 
Fay - Penn Economic Development Council
1040 Eberly Way, Suite 200 
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
Fayette County
724-437-7913 

How do I get financing?

The SBDC does not provide direct financing. Our consultants work with banks and other lending agencies and organizations to assist in putting together financial projections, but the actual financing comes from the lender.

What grants are available for my business?

Generally, grants are not available for starting up a small business. There are grants through federal and state resources, as well as the private sector, for some research and development projects, high-tech businesses, and other specialized areas. Your local public library will have complete listings in the Reference Department.

Can I get help from the SBDC if my business is set up as a non-profit business?

Because of the SBDC's funding guidelines, the Center is not able to assist businesses that are established as not-for-profit.

Who pays for the SBDC program?

The SBDC is part of a state-wide network of colleges and university centers (PASBDC) which is a joint venture of federal, state, and private sector agencies and organizations including the US Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic development. Each agency, along with the host university, contributes to the financial support of the program.

What are the requirements of the program?

To receive assistance from the Saint Vincent College SBDC, your business should be located in Westmoreland or Fayette counties.

My business has been established for some time. How can the SBDC help me?

The SBDC provides one-on-one consulting in business planning, marketing and promotion, financial analysis, and accounting. In addition, a Procurement Assistance program is available for companies that want to bid on Federal government contracts. An International trade program is available for firms that want to enter into or expand in the global marketplace, engineering development services are available for firms developing new products, and an Environmental Management Assistance program is also available.

What is the cost for the SBDC services?

The SBDC provides no-fee consulting services. Minimal fees are charged for seminars and workshops to cover costs of instructors, materials, etc.

What can I expect from my consultant?

At your initial meeting, your consultant will review your business proposal, determine a course of action and identify areas of responsibility for both of you. Your consultant will then follow-up with an engagement letter detailing your meeting and listing the items each of you will be working on, along with an estimated time frame for completion.

How long will it take to write a Business Plan?

A well thought-out business plan generally takes from six months to a year to complete, but can be less depending on how committed you are to the business, and how much time you are willing to spend on writing your plan. Your business plan is a joint venture with your consultant. The SBDC consultant will not write a business plan for you. The writing of the plan is an educational process in which you learn about your business and how you expect it to operate. It should reflect your goals, objectives, priorities, and management style.

How can the SBDC help someone just thinking of starting a business?

The Saint Vincent College SBDC offers a Pre-venture seminar for those individuals who want general information on starting a business, or who are in the initial start-up phase. This seminar provides the basics for getting a business up and running. Upon completion of the start-up seminar, individual consulting services are available. Your project will be assigned to a consultant who will guide you through the development process.