The mission of the network of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) is to grow the economy of Pennsylvania by providing entrepreneurs with the education, information and tools necessary to build successful businesses. Since its inception in 1980, the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers have evolved into a network of 18 university-based centers and more than ninety outreach locations operating under the guidance of the State Director located at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania SBDC provides consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-to-one sessions to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more. Since inception, the SBDCs have helped Pennsylvania entrepreneurs: - Start more than 24,300 new businesses - Obtain over $2.1 billion in start-up and expansion capital - Expand sales by $8.7 billion, including over $2.1 billion in government contracts and $1.3 billion in export sales - Create over 104,800 new jobs at an average cost of $1,145 per job - Generate more than $796 million in new tax revenues