CHESTER, PA (SBDC News) -- Founded in January 2007, Widener University Small Business Development Center is one of 18 SBDCs in Pennsylvania.

It has recently been relocated to a larger and more update site at 1450 Edgmont AvenueSuite 120.

The center provides free and confidential consulting services to entrepreneurs as well as educational workshops for which we charge a nominal fee. Widener SBDC is strongly committed to helping small businesses (for our purposes, a small business is defined as having less than $20 million in revenue per year and fewer than 500 employees). While our workshops are open to all, our consulting services are generally limited to for-profit ventures.

The center offers the following services:

• One-on-one management consulting with an emphasis on education and guidance in solving problems. Consulting is confidential and provided at no charge

• Educational programs that feature experts and business leaders who offer practical information on a wide range of topics. The First Step course provides prospective entrepreneurs with an overview of what is required to be a successful business owner.

• Information resources to help entrepreneurs obtain the timely, relevant, and detailed information they require to make sound business decisions.

• A Procurement Technical Assistance Center to provide in-depth help in pursuing government contract leads.

• Access to special programs to develop new technologies and products, understanding environmental and worker safety regulations, identifying energy savings opportunities, and engaging in international trade.

All services are provided by our staff of highly qualified consultants. In addition to practical experience in operating small businesses themselves, our staff has more than 120 years of business experience and holds advanced degrees in Business, Economics and Psychology. Widener SBDC also taps the expertise of industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and other business professionals to deliver its educational programs.
Services from the state-wide network of SBDC's have helped small firms throughout Pennsylvania raise more than $1 billion in start-up and expansion capital, start thousands of new companies, and sell billions of dollars worth of Pennsylvania products and services throughout the world. As a result, SBDC clients have created tens of thousands of new jobs and generated more than $325,000,000 in new state and federal tax revenue.

Whether you are looking to start a business, solve a problem facing your current business, or launch a new product, you need the help of a professional expert. Unfortunately, qualified experts are often too expensive for a small business budget. Our team of consultants offer an affordable and professional solution to this common dilemma. Whatever your challenge, a SBDC consultant is ready to meet with you one-on-one to help you launch your business, discuss your business plan, or help you develop the new strategies to meet your goals.

Click here to visit www.widenersbdc.org