Ben Franklin News
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) joined with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) in celebrating the first-ever Pennsylvania Small Business Week, May 1 – 7, 2016. Small Business Week is part of a nationwide event designed to highlight the significant contributions of small businesses and the resources available to support their growth.
Pennsylvania is home to nearly 1 million small businesses employing 2.4 million individuals, which equals about half of the state’s private workforce. Small businesses play a vital role in Pennsylvania’s economy, accounting for 98.2 percent of businesses in the state, and their significance is evident across a variety of business sectors.
BFTP/NEP creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by linking early-stage technology-based firms and established manufacturers with experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. BFTP/NEP invests in and works extensively with Pennsylvania’s small businesses. BFTP/NEP’s support helps young firms to succeed and established companies to utilize innovation to competitive advantage. Statewide, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners has returned $3.60 to the Pennsylvania treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program.
Part of the celebration of Pennsylvania’s Small Business Week was a series of informational webinars that targeted small business owners. Each free, 60-minute webinar was presented by an experienced small business consultant providing guidance on a specific topic. Among the BFTP/NEP-affiliated presenters were:
• Jeff Teschke, founder and CEO of BFTP/NEP client Forge3.com: Leveraging LinkedIn to Supercharge Prospecting, Referrals and Sales – Listen to May 4 webinar.
• Kenneth Okrepkie, BFTP/NEP Manager, Pocono Northeast Region and Leo Gilroy, Director of Innovation and Strategy, NEPIRC: Taking Your Business to the Next Level – May 6
For more information, visit http://pasmallbiz.newpa.com/about/.
