Bucknell SBDC Earns State SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award

The Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the state's finest. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) presented the Bucknell SBDC its 2024 Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award on April 30 in Lewisburg's Campus Theatre — and for good reason.

Last year alone, the Bucknell SBDC engaged with more than 600 individuals, resulting in the launch of over 40 new businesses. Additionally, its consulting assistance — much of it provided by Bucknell students — helped businesses support more than 2,300 jobs across the region.

The Bucknell SBDC provides entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge they need to start and grow their ventures. Services are extended to small business owners throughout Union, Northumberland, Juniata, Montour, Perry and Snyder counties. Bucknell hosts the statewide Center of Excellence for Innovation Engineering, providing specialized innovation, engineering, and concept development services to small businesses in partnership with the University's College of Engineering. The center leads two community-based business incubators, StartUp Lewisburg and StartUp Danville, and will launch its third, StartUp Milton, in 2024.

"It's wonderful to recognize the achievements of our resource partners such as Bucknell University SBDC and leaders like Director Steven Stumbris," said Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania Director. "Under Steven's leadership, the center helped their rural clients access more than $10 million in capital in fiscal year 2023."

Bucknell SBDC Director Steve Stumbris accepts the 2024 Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award from Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania Director. Photo by Melanie Ortiz, Lewisburg Studio

Serving Area Small Businesses Since 1978
One of the longest-serving SBDCs in the nation, and the first to be hosted by a College of Engineering, Bucknell's center launched in 1978 and became an inaugural member of the Pennsylvania SBDC network upon its formation in 1979. The center has served over 8,000 entrepreneurs since its inception.

Stumbris also serves as the moderator for WVIA-TV's Keystone Edition Business, a monthly public television program featuring insights from entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators in business throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, with episodes frequently featuring SBDC clients and consulting staff.

"We are honored to be presented with the SBA's 2024 Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award," says Stumbris. "Our team is dedicated to helping our small businesses innovate and succeed. We thank the SBA, Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, USDA Rural Development, our colleagues across the Pennsylvania SBDC Network, and our host Bucknell University for their support and collaboration."

Bucknell SBDC Assistant Director Denny Hummer leads the center's startup incubators, which will soon include StartUp Milton. Resilite, a leading producer of wrestling mats, is working with Innovation Engineering Manager Ian Proud, an engineering student team and faculty adviser, in designing, manufacturing and commissioning a new production machine. Business Consultant Amber Guerrero leads the center's newly launched digital services, which helped 10 businesses create or enhance their online presence in the past year.

Bucknell SBDC clients have frequently been recognized by the SBA. Last year Crest Haven Farm Market was awarded the 2023 Entrepreneurial Success of the Year. The year before, Susquehanna Fire Equipment Company was named the 2022 Family-owned Small Business of the Year. Prior awardees include Nick Gilson of Gilson Snow, named the 2018 Young Entrepreneur of the Year; and Elvin Stoltzfus of Pik Rite, named the 2017 Small Business Person of the Year.

"It is a privilege to serve aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners," Stumbris said. "These are the dreamers and doers of our country, and we take this responsibility and role as their trusted advisors very earnestly. It is rewarding to see them take our advice forward as they create new businesses and jobs — and contribute to our region's economy and health."

A National Leader
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers are 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 SBDC program is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and 15 universities and colleges across the Commonwealth. The SBA's Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award recipient is selected from among the Commonwealth's Small Business Development Center Network.