Delco Offers FREE Business Forums

County Council and Commerce Center

Host Two Funding Forums to Assist Businesses

                Delaware County Council and the county Commerce Center will host two Business Funding Forums in October to inform companies about available business assistance and government loan and bond programs.

            The Forums are set for: 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Concordville Best Western, and 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Springfield Country Club. Both Forums are free and open to the public, but attendees must pre-register with the Commerce Center.

            Representatives from various agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will address local businessmen and women on available funding sources.

            “Economic development is always a key goal for County Council, but current economic challenges mean we have to be more aggressive, more proactive in securing funding and business opportunities for Delaware County,” said County Councilman Jack Whelan.

            “These Forums are an effort to ensure that every Delaware County business has timely information about government resources and economic development opportunities. Through our Commerce Center, we want to collaborate to make sure our existing businesses can not only weather this economic downturn, but grow and prosper.”

            Forum speakers will address available assistance and government funding through low-interest loans and bonds. Attendees can learn about funding for building acquisition, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment purchasing, working capital, training programs, exporting and energy efficiency opportunities.

            Chairman Whelan said these Forums give local business owners a chance to speak directly with county, state and federal economic development agencies.

            Forum speakers include:

·        Erin Murphy Boyle, Governor’s Action Team, who will speak on various economic development initiatives at the state level

·        Adam Matlawski, from McNichol, Bryne and Matlawski, who will speak about the Pennsylvania Bond Program

·        Chuck Evans, director of the Southeastern Economic Development Company of Pennsylvania, who will speak on the SB540 programs

·        Sheryl Paynter, lender relations specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, who will address the SBA lending programs.

·        There will also be representatives from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Widener Small Business Development Center, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center and the World Trade Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

            Interested businessmen and women can contact the Delaware County Commerce Center for additional information or to pre-register: (610) 566-2225 or e-mail to info@delcopa.org.