Pa. small businesses gain new assistance from state

The Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program is open and accepting funding applications, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger announced. 

Applications are being accepted through Jan. 22 from nonprofits, economic development organizations, and educational institutions to create Business Assistance Service Centers across Pennsylvania to support small, diverse businesses. 

“When we invest in minority communities and help historically disadvantaged businesses in those neighborhoods, we’re not just supporting job creation — we’re building ladders of opportunity,” Davis said in a statement. “The Shapiro-Davis Administration will never leave any community behind.” 

Said Siger, “The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to making sure that every entrepreneur and small business across our Commonwealth has the same opportunities for success. The commonwealth must support our small, minority-owned businesses because when they succeed, our communities thrive, and Pennsylvania’s economy grows.” 

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget includes funding for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program to support a variety of historically disadvantaged businesses, including minority-owned businesses. 

“I’ve advocated for this funding because when small businesses succeed, they create opportunity for Pennsylvanians all across the commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “My administration and I are committed to breaking down barriers to progress and helping historically disadvantaged business owners and entrepreneurs build generational wealth. 

“Pennsylvania is open for business and we’re making sure small, diverse businesses have the support they need to achieve their dreams and grow our economy,” said Shapiro. 

The Business Assistance Service Centers created through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program will look to provide technical assistance and business support services to increase access to capital, promote economic empowerment, and boost the number of diverse small businesses. 

Eligible organizations will be able to apply for additional Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program funding in Spring 2025 to create local micro grant programs to assist historically disadvantaged businesses further with start-up and other costs, or to grow or expand their businesses. 

According to a release, the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program will use a competitive application process to determine funding awards to at least one eligible organization in each region of the commonwealth. Educational institutions, community-based nonprofit organizations, and nonprofit economic development organizations with established experience and expertise in business and economic development are eligible to apply for funding. 

“When we created the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program four years ago, we believed that our investments should be a reflection of our priorities,” said Sen. Vincent Hughes (Montgomery/Philadelphia), Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “When we give someone the support or tools needed to open a barber shop or take over a vacant store front in the neighborhood, it matters to everyone that small business is serving. 

“Since its inception the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program has gotten real resources to businesses who are often neglected by more traditional programs. I’m glad this support for these businesses will continue,” added Hughes.