Bethlehem, PA (PRWEB) November 12, 2015
On November 6, 2015, Lehigh University celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Lehigh University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) along with business owners, legislators, local leaders, and former SBDC students and staff. Following the celebration, a ribbon cutting marked the SBDC’s move to its new offices at 416 East 5th Street in Bethlehem.
Lehigh University President John Simon welcomed approximately eighty guests to Rauch Business Center by congratulating the SBDC and stating, “As part of the College of Business and Economics within Lehigh, the SBDC shares our values in education and experiential learning, always striving for excellence. One hundred and seventy five MBA and countless undergraduate students have worked within our SBDC as consultants and researchers to real-world clients – a unique educational experience that prepares them for and propels them towards their future accomplishments after Lehigh. Our students have indeed moved on to successful careers domestically and around the globe in the worlds of finance, big industry and entrepreneurship. Their Lehigh and SBDC credentials served them well - setting them apart and elevating them to the top.”
Also recognizing the SBDC’s achievements during the celebration were US Congressman Charlie Dent, Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez, State Rep. Steve Samuelson, representing the entire Lehigh Valley House delegation, and staff from the offices of US Senator Pat Toomey, US Congressman Matt Cartwright, State Senator Pat Browne, representing the entire Lehigh Valley Senate delegation, Northampton County Executive John Brown and federal SBA officials. Each presented resolutions, certificates, proclamations, and letters of congratulations to President Simon and SBDC Director Sandra Holsonback on the momentous occasion, while others such as US Senator Bob Casey sent congratulatory wishes and Dr. John Bonge, a retired Lehigh professor who founded the Lehigh SBDC remarked on the successes of the SBDC over the last 35 years.
Additionally, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis M. Davin recognized the work of the Lehigh SBDC by congratulating the department’s longtime economic development and entrepreneurship partner on a successful 35 years of supporting the businesses in the Lehigh Valley region. Davin was quoted as saying, “Since 1980, the Lehigh University SBDC has successfully assisted with more than 800 new business ventures and the creation of 3,200 new jobs, while ensuring that the region remains globally competitive. We look forward to our continued partnership to further assist the greater Lehigh Valley business community.”
The Lehigh SBDC is part of the Pennsylvania SBDC network, the only statewide, nationally accredited program that provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to empower new and existing businesses. The Lehigh SBDC program is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Defense Logistics Agency, and Lehigh University.
The Lehigh SBDC provides no-cost confidential consulting and low cost training in proven management fundamentals helping small business owners and potential entrepreneurs make sound decisions for the successful operation of their business. To learn more, visit http://www.lehigh.edu/~insbdc/.